Muscatine

And therein lies the problem in my opinion.  That 17 year old knows that at worst, he'll probably get 25 years and be out in 12 if he happens to kill your daughter.  There is no fear factor.  Planned or unplanned, the punishment needs to more closely fit the crime.  The disregard for human life, the blatant ignoring of law, needs to be addressed in a more fitting manner. 

And I agree with you on the matter of dope dealers.  No punishment is too harsh, even though they might not "premeditate" the killing of anyone. 

Daryl, sadly given your thought process anyone who operates a vehicle under the influence of anything and has an accident that kills someone would fall under the death penalty.  Some prescription medications state directly on them "do not operate motor vehicles" yet there are people who do anyway.  Marijuana along with other illegal drugs alter the mind so given the same process they should be put to death.

Now having said that I do not believe that drinking and driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of anything that alters the mind is acceptable.  Agreed, the penalty should fit the crime but that is why the laws that are on the books are there.  Calmer heads have set the penalties yet at times I as well do not agree that some penalties are harsh enough but most are set as is for a reason.  And of course some judges take it upon themselves to soft shoulder some violators.

But we were talking about drunk driving, right? Driving under the influence of alcohol?