Jason Botos, Moron of the Day: Shows up Drunk to Court for His DUI Case

• Even if they did put him in a mandatory treatment program, rehab never works unless the individual is ready to quit...whatever it is they're addicted to. So, they could force him into a treatment program, with taxpayers footing the bill, but he would just go back to drinking again. It's a bad investment.

• Last I heard they DO offer programs in prison which is where this guy belongs so that he could attend a program. However there is such a miniscule chance of success by forcing anyone into a program... what good would it do if they sent him there or jail? People are always willing to spend my tax dollars on a dream of helping someone that doesn't want to help themself.

• Jenny, You realize that you can die from alcohol detox. without medication? You are in favor of instituting the death penalty for lesser crimes than first degree murder, like DUI, drug possesion, and shoplifting?

• Who cares if the guys get sick from detoxing in jail? He committed a crime, and should go to jail for it. If he truly wanted to quit drinking, then he would have sought the help on his own. People like him do not want to quit. I say throw him in jail, let that be his detox therapy.

• I agree, he's got physical dependence if he's got a BAC of .43 and he's not in a coma or dead. Anything over .4 can kill a person who's not dependent. The best thing for him would be to A.) be very thankful that he got busted before he killed someone, and B.) He's got to go to detox first before jail. Instead of 18 mos. in jail, he should do 90 days mandatory rehab first, then 60 days in jail, then the rest of the time in work release. There's other things he can do too, like get an alcohol sensor in his car so if he really can't stop drinking, or relapses then he at least won't be driving. Unfortunately, the programs the DMV puts people in just don' work b/c they are not personalized, they are just money-makers for the DMV with fines and "therapy" People drink for a lot of different and mixed reasons.

• Guy is depressed and stressing about his court date, so he drinks away the pain. Yeah, this guy has a problem that needs much more attention than just "locked in a cell". He needs serious counseling, and a program designed to treat alcohol dependency and self destructive behavior. I feel sorry for this guy, this is a dark time in his life. It still does not excuse him for driving intoxicated, I would call that irresponsible act "attempted manslaughter", and he should go to jail for that, and pay restitution.

• The problem is that rehab doesn't work, unless the person WANTS it to work. He can be ordered to rehab 7 times (I actually know someone who was) and still not stay sober. I do believe it is a disease, but just as with diabetes, behavior changes can help. Stop drinking. Definitely stop driving. And consequences must be paid for behavior.

• Val, Thanks for agreeing. And I forgot to take into account the original charge/wreck. I believe he does deserve punishment for the accident that injured others, but in due time and with due regard for his current condition. Glad some other folks see this tragedy with such an open mind to the disease of alcoholism. Thank You.

• This guy abviously needs help. I think a little rehab is in order here, before his actual jail term. This man is going to get so sick from withdrawls, and are the jailers really ready to handle that??

• Bacon, I will have to agree with you here - that was absolutely my first thought as well. If anyone has ever seen an alcoholic.. The only thing that bothers me are the 3 victims of the accident. I wish there was a way to get these guys help without putting it on the taxpayer's dollar. I do think punishment, for the victims' sake, is due... Treatment would be great, as long as we weren't footing the whole bill, but because of the wreck, I would say some jail time post-treatment would also be in order.

• Mike, in JAIL they don't monitor detoxing inmates, nor provide them with substance abuse counseling or treatment. If your skeptical about drug/alcohol treatment centers, let me assure you the statistics on the likelihood of relapsing is MUCH MUCH MUCH higher for jail inmates who have simply been incarcerated long enough to "dry out". Sure prison would keep him off alcohol forever too, but we'd still end up footing that bill too, and it would be far larger than the bill of a mental health/substance abuse treatment clinic. But if you don't mind continually shelling out your tax dollars to constantly imprison an addict for petty crimes he's committed as a result of his addiction... We'll let you privately fund the incarceration of addicts for petty crimes. Wait, that's 75% of the jail/prison population...whoa better rethink that strategy there MikeW.

• Mandatory, without the option to leave on his own. It's called "Jail".

• Sounds to me like this is a good example of the justice system treating a medical illness as a crime because there is no other viable options. Obviously besides being dumb, this guy has a serious problem with alcohol dependancy, and needs to get some treatment/help. I just wish the judge would/could order him to a mandatory treatment without the option to leave on his own. I know it sounds dumb to some of you, but it really would cost us less in the long run. Also, we'll hopefully get this guy back into a functioning member of society and then he'll be contributing instead of constantly being a drain on us. As a member of a family with a history of chronic alcohol dependancy on both sides, I know that despite the obvious in the story, the real story is a severely troubled young man who is screaming for someone to help him, whether he knows it or not. JMO

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