Donohue case brings up old argument about DUI cases

Former Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Michael Donohue has been convicted by a jury of misdemeanor charges in connection with a hit-run crash in which he fled the scene after striking a boy on a skateboard last November.

You can read all those details here.

A lot of people are not happy with that conviction. That’s because the jury never got to consider more serious charges of aggravated assault and DUI connected to the crash. A visiting judge on Friday acquitted Donohue on those charges.

Even though several people testified that Donohue and some friends were at a local bar, no one testified that he appeared impaired.

It brings up a debate that has been going on for some time in Pennsylvania. Basically, a lot of people believe that if you think you might be under the influence, you’re better off leaving the scene and turning yourself in later.

In this instance, no one really knows if Donohue was impaired. The prosecution couldn’t prove it and the judge tossed the charges.

It’s not the first time this quirk in Pennsylvania law has come up. It probably won't be the last.

Here’s our editorial on the issue.

 

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