The headline regarding police officers giving Class C Misdemeanor tickets instead of charging folks with DWI out of Mont Belvieu, Texas and other surrounding small counties in Texas did not and does not shock me.
The reason for this problem is very simple...money. Small cities do not generate revenue on par with the revenue generated in municipal court when they arrest individuals for Class B and higher crimes in Texas. Let me be clear. If a police officer in a small city such as Mont Belvieu, Texas charges someone with Driving While Intoxicated, the charge is referred to the District or County Attorney for further prosecution. When and if the defendant is ultimately convicted, any fines that are paid go to the county and the state. However, if the person were instead charged with a class C misdemeanor all of the money paid in fines goes to the City. There you have it.
If MADD or anyone else is angered by this, talk to your legislator or the folks in Austin. It's not that it is a real problem but I just feel need to point out that the reason this happens is very simple. The blame should be focused on the Mayor or the Chief of Police.
See the attached link for the recent story: http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/16440211/detail.html
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