An Impaired Driver Plea Bargains LAW IN ACTION when police cruisers finally stopped the motorist after a high-speed chase, he had torn through three red lights at speeds twice the limit. He was also so 1. Which two charges did trunk he could barely get out of the car; when tested, his blood-alcohol level the Crown drop? Why? was nearly three times the legal limit. This was the 26-year-old's first offence. 2. List the mitigating In a plea bargain, he pleaded guilty to impaired driving. Two charges were factors in this case. dropped: high alcohol levels in his blood and fleeing the police. Jointly, the 3. In your opinion, what prosecutor and the defence recommended a $600 fine and a one-year sus- were the judge's sen- tencing goals? pension. The judge regarded this sentence as a gift. However, there were mitigating 4. How do you think the general public would factors involved. It was the offender's first offence, and no one had been injured. react to the outcome The offender had apologized, and he had a steady job. The judge suspended of this plea bargain? the offender's licence for a year and gave him a sentence of 30 days, which he Explain. was allowed to serve at home under the terms of a conditional sentence. CHAPTER 11 . Sentencing and the Correctional System 287