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PROVO -- The lawyer for a Utah County woman recently convicted of her seventh DUI charge is speaking out. Tuesday, he explained what really happened and why he thinks there's a bigger problem in Utah.
"I think it was an appropriate sentence, and I think in a similar case that would be the sentence that almost any defendant would receive in the state of Utah." Greg Stewart, defense attorney
Maryann Lassen just started serving her 210-day stint in jail. Some say that penalty was not enough for a seventh DUI conviction, but her attorney says it was fair.
In addition to jail time, Lassen will have an ignition interlock installed in her car for six years and will be an alcohol-restricted driver for life.
"I think it was an appropriate sentence, and I think in a similar case that would be the sentence that almost any defendant would receive in the state of Utah," said defense attorney Greg Stewart.
Others, including lawmakers and anti-drinking and driving advocates thought the sentence was too lenient.
"Seven driving impaired violations would mean, to me, this person probably shouldn't ever have a driver's license again. They've proven that they can't be responsible and drive on the roads," Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups said last week.
"I just wondered, on these repeat drunk drivers, how many times do we let them just run around, and not get serious with them until they kill somebody?" questioned Art Brown, president of the Utah Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Stewart defended Lassen in court, and says her penalty is justified because she wasn't driving under the influence of alcohol, only prescription medication. He says she didn't know they would have the affect they did.
"The doctors don't take the time to inform them about how the medication should be taken, or inform them about the consequences of taking it in combination with other medication," Stewart said.
He believes this is a larger issue, since Utah often tops lists of over-prescribed states. He thinks doctors need to be put on notice that this is happening.
"Too often, I think people are taking this medication that is prescribed by physicians and don't understand the situation they're putting themselves in," Stewart said.
Now, hopefully, Lassen has learned her lesson. She will be allowed to participate in a work release program at the jail's discretion.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
