

Kerry Kennedy DUI case: a question of accountability

3:41 PM, Mar. 5, 2014  |  Comments

In recent headlines, there is a story about a woman (Kerry Kennedy) who took a prescription sleep aid, fell asleep behind the wheel and got into an accident. Her defense is that she took the mind-altering drug by mistake, and meant to take another medication.

Regardless of what we think the outcome of the trial should be (Kennedy was acquitted), we can ask ourselves some questions. If someone ingests a mind-altering substance by mistake, are they responsible for their actions?

If you answered yes, should the punishment be less severe because there was no premeditated thought of acting recklessly? If you answered no, that the person should not be responsible for their actions, then what type of repercussions should there be?

Another question that this subject leads to is: What defines a "mistake"? Does anyone intentionally drink too much when they get behind the wheel? Ask anyone who has been convicted of a DUI that question, and the resounding answer will be, "It was a mistake."

My stance on this matter is irrelevant. The point is: If the players, perpetrator or victim appear more important than the mistake or crime in question, maybe the laws need to be rewritten. What "mistakes" are you willing to put up with, and does it matter who commits them?

Harry Arnold


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