|
|
Published May 09, 2008 11:46 am - Heather Jensen, 29, spent four years in prison for killing her best friend while driving under the influence of methamphetamines. She called her sentence a slap on the wrist.
Tougher laws needed, some victims claim
By Melissa Dunson
mdunson@joplinglobe.com
Heather Jensen, 29, spent four years in prison for killing her best friend while driving under the influence of methamphetamines. She called her sentence a slap on the wrist.
“I should have gotten more time,” Jensen, of Webb City, said.
Today, Jensen is a proponent of tougher sentences for anyone involved in driving while under the influence of any substance or for providing drugs or alcohol to minors, especially if someone dies because of it.
Jensen isn’t alone.
Police officers, victims’ families and others are calling for tougher penalties for those involved in the deaths of teenagers when alcohol, drugs, recklessness or negligence is involved.
Missouri law
Dan Whitworth, a general practice attorney in Joplin, said penalties for driving under the influence, being a minor in possession or selling or providing alcohol to a minor vary from a fine to 5 to 15 years behind bars.
A minor who is driving is considered intoxicated at a much lower level than adults, he said. Minors can be arrested for DWI at 0.02, while adults have to register 0.08. People can be charged with driving under the influence of drugs with any amount of the drug in their system, Whitworth said.
A first-offense DUI is a Class B misdemeanor in Missouri punishable by a fine of up to $500 and six months in jail. Repeat offenders can get progressively more serious fines and jail time — up to $5,000 and 5 to 15 years in prison, according to Missouri statutes.
“You do see people get that much but they really have to be a perpetual offender,” Whitworth said.
In Missouri, minors also can be charged with possession of alcohol if they are found with the bottle, or with alcohol in their blood stream. That minor in possession by consumption law is unique to Missouri, Whitworth said. The penalty for being a minor in possession is similar to, but lower, than the beginning penalty for DWI or DUI.
Providing alcohol to a minor, either by selling it as a retailer or furnishing it to them as a friend or parent also carries a fine of $500 and not more than 6 months in jail. On the second offense, Whitworth said that penalty can jump to a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in county jail.
Businesses that sell to minors can also face other penalties as well. The employee who sold the alcohol can be fined or charged as well as the business.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
TEAMS NEEDED
SIGN-ON BONUS $3000 Benefits and West Coast $$ Scheduled Raises $$ HIGH MILES WEEKLY 72hrs...>MORE
DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE
EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKER
EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKER/ EMERGENCY ROOM ADVOCATE Part-time position in women’s treatment/ trauma program. This positio...>MORE
ACCOUNTANT
Local Construction firm needing full charge accountant, duties include general ledger, accounts receivable/billing, acco...>MORE
CHILD CARE WORKER
CHILD CARE WORKER Part-time position working with children 0-6 at Discovery Center childcare center. Day and evening h...>MORE
MED TECH SUPERVISOR
Med TECH SUPERVISOR Excellent Salary and Benefits Apply in person or send resume: Nevada Medical Clinic Atte...>MORE
OPINIONS WANTED
For legal research project. Participants will listen to presentations and express their opinions. Project scheduled for ...>MORE
GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Located on US Business. 60 7 acres with 3 BR house on Hickory Creek 3 buildings with 20 10 x 15 units each ...>MORE
OLIVE GARDEN
Now accepting applications Line Cooks, Dishwashers, and Lunch Servers Interviewing 2-4 p.m. Monday through Fr...>MORE
ACCOUNTANT.
Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P...>MORE
See all ads |
|
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE
1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE
2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE
MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE
1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500. Bob 417-781-1932 ...>MORE
GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE
LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE
See all ads |
|
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
See all ads |
|
MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES
6 weeks old, $100. (417)781-4099....>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
COLLEGE STUDENT
COLLEGE STUDENT LOOKING FOR FEMALE ROOMMATE I am looking for a female roommate with Christian values to share my du...>MORE
MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE
PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE
24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE
SHIH-TZU PUPPIES
$125 each; Shih-tzu adults free to a good home, (417)439-5568....>MORE
AMPLIFIER
1953 Gibson BHR, $250. (417)437-9942....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|