A 52-year-old woman with multiple convictions for driving under the influence was sentenced Wednesday to six months in Douglas County Jail despite a plea for leniency to take care of her aging parents.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl imposed a 178-day suspended sentence against Peggy Smith of Indian Hills.
Two weeks ago, EnEarl lectured Smith who was arrested Aug. 20 for her fifth offense, three weeks after the judge placed her on probation for DUI.
On Wednesday, he imposed the sentence without comment.
Smith said her incarceration had been "a moving, spiritual experience."
"I feel cleansed completely. I am aware of my actions. I would love to show my parents the full daughter I can be. I take the previous experiences as a positive. I am more than 50 years old and tired of the life I've been living," she said.
Deputy District Attorney Erik Levin said in his time with Douglas County, he'd prosecuted 100 drunk driving offenses.
"I am hard-pressed to think of a defendant more deserving of incarceration. This is her fifth DUI. To add insult to injury, she committed it while out on a prior offense. She's going to drink, she's going to drive," Levin said.
"She uses the condition of her parents as an 'I can do what I want card.'" he said.
Smith's lawyer Derrick Lopez said his client was amenable to treatment.
He said Smith had been caring for her parents for 12 years and they were important to her.
