Drunk driver gets lecture from judge

Sentencing was delayed to Sept. 23 for an Indian Hills woman arrested for driving under the influence three weeks after she was placed on probation for DUI.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl told Peggy Smith, 52, he was infuriated by her latest arrest which he said was her sixth or seventh for driving under the influence.

"I despise your conduct," EnEarl said Sept. 9. "The only thing you're crying about is that you might go to jail for six months.

"I told you that you were an alcoholic three weeks ago. I told you that you needed to quit drinking and take care of your mother. Within three weeks, you got drunk again and drove a car. By the grace of God, you didn't kill someone."

Smith's 87-year-old mother, standing with a walker, told EnEarl she relied on Smith's help to care for her 91-year-old husband.

"We're living alone," she said. "It's very hard on me. He gets up four or five times a night. I know she's (Smith) had this problem. She's not a bad girl at all. She's really very, very helpful."

Smith was arrested Aug. 20 in Carson City for drunk driving. She was sentenced Aug. 5 in East Fork Justice Court for her first DUI and received a 178-day sentence suspended for one year.

"She (Smith) has put me in the position that if I safeguard the community - which is one of my jobs - I victimize a sweet old lady," EnEarl said.

He ordered Smith to remain in jail without bail until sentencing Sept. 23.

"You don't want me to make a decision today," he said.