MADD Urges Tough Punishment If Bieber Convicted Of DUI
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking, weighed in on news that Justin Bieber had been arrested for drunk driving early Thursday in Miami Beach, urging the Canadian pop singer to be given a tough sentence if found guilty of his DUI charge. They write:
Today, we heard about another celebrity being arrested for DUI, and this time it’s a celebrity that isn’t even of legal drinking age—19-year-old Justin Bieber. Underage drinking is dangerous, not to mention illegal, and it is unacceptable for anyone to make the choice to drive drunk, especially a celebrity, who may been seen as a role model.
Drunk driving is a choice, and it is 100-percent preventable.
As with any drunk driving arrest, MADD believes everyone has the right to a fair trial, and if found guilty, should be convicted and sentenced to the full extent of the law. We encourage judges to use the full power provided by law in each state to determine appropriate sanctions for anyone convicted of drunk driving.
Our hope that a high-profile DUI arrest such as this one will serve as a reminder to adults 21 and over, both celebrities and fans alike, to plan ahead for a safe way home if their plans include alcohol, as well as reminds those under 21 that drinking alcohol is illegal.
