Texas has always been super strict on drinking and driving. The slogan “Don’t Mess With Texas” gets repeatedly applied to these laws. As a Texan, I have always understood and been proud of my state. I’m just as proud today as Texas looks at renovating the law for first-time offenders. Between the court system being backloogged and many prosecutors and defenders being tied up with these cases, an awareness of how not only to help the judicial system but also the public and yes, the defendant, has brought a proposal that even MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) is considering to be a positive change.

What is the new proposal? It is going a little easier on first-time offenders provided that they agree to supervision and treatment. We all make mistakes. We all think we are above getting that first ticket, not being able to handle our liquor, being able to get high whenever without getting addicted. We are wrong, though. Just today I was driving down one of the main streets in town and a brown van kept going over the white line. Drinking? Hmm. So as I decide to pull up and get away from the driver, I see that it is actually a little old lady who looked to be at least 70. Maybe she’s never had a ticket or been a drunk driver but if she keeps driving the way she is, she will end up being pulled over.

The new proposal is going to bring a second chance to the first-time offender in making sure that he or she realizes what could happen if he continues to drink and drive. Innocent lives could be lost. His own could be (which would sadden his family) and if he did live, he would most likely wish for death because of the guilt. But with the new proposal, he can be supervised and he can get the treatment he needs to make sure he does not repeat such a foolish and possibly fatal mistake again.

 I’m still proud that Texas is one of the harder places to be legally. I’m also proud that we want the best for all of our citizens and want them to come out of a situation having learned a valuable lesson and striving to improve and be the best that he or she can be.

Don’t mess with Texas. We are seriously willing to give you a second chance because we believe in fairness and forgiveness. Make the best of it and the best of your life and down the road we will pay it forward and tell someone else the same thing so that you and yours are kept safe as well.  We want you to live free but we also want all potential innocent victims to live free as well.  So don’t blow your second chance, okay?  (Because you know what?  We think you deserve a second chance.  Show us that we’re right.)