Geek System reported one police agency’s decision to “shame” drunk drivers on ‘twitter” for one weekend. People are referring to it as a “public shaming campaign.” However, those who support the public shaming say it is not a big deal because the best way to avoid finding your name on Twitter as a DWI offender is to not drink and drive. Others are not so sure this is the best approach.
Everyone knows that drinking and driving carries heavy consequences, but what people didn’t realize is that their names could end up on a social media site This Friday (May 10, 2013) “150 patrol cars will be out looking to bust people for driving while intoxicated, and when they do they’re going to post the names of the perps on Twitter, presumably from the @MnDPS_DPS Twitter account.” According to one report, “The Department of Public Safety plans to publish the age and gender of those arrested for DWI on Twitter with the hashtag #May10DWI.”
Unfortunately publicly shaming people who are arrested for DWI is not a brand new concept. So ask yourself, is this right? Can police even do this? Probably not, but they are planning to do it anyways. Just three years ago in another city did the same thing was done. Assistant district attorney in the area argued that “there is definitely a deterrent effect in the potential public humiliation people may face when they get arrested for DWI.” But what about the age old concept of “arrest for a crime doesn’t mean you are guilty?”
An article covering the post one of the twitter shamming discusses the “potential for causing irreparable damage to the lives of people who may be falsely accused.” They discussed in particular a New York woman who was placed on a “Wall of Shame” website for a DWI arrest. However, later it was determined that she was not actually drunk but was struggling due to symptoms of complications for diabetes. After learning this, her picture and information was removed from the site, however the woman suffered considerable embarrassment.
Watertown and other areas in New York are not currently considering a Twitter shaming campaign on large scale, but what if they do? Those in support of the Twitter shaming for DWI’s believe that it is okay because all arrests are public record. While this is true, “Googling” someone’s name doesn’t mean their arrest report will come up. However, a “Twitter post could show up in searches for a long time. Whether the person was ever convicted of a DWI will not show up on the Google searches, and this could affect a named person for years to come.
If you received a DWI in Watertown, and are concerned with what will happen next, the attorneys at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are here to help you. Call 315-775-2775 for your free case consultation today. As of right now police in New York are not “tweeting” peoples name on Twitter after they arrest drunk drivers. However, if you are interested in the current New York DWI laws, the attorneys at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are qualified, experienced, and stay up to date on all changing and pending changes to the DWI laws.
The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
