By Staff
October 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service began releasing the names of those who have been charged with the offence of driving while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.
A number of Gazette readers took offence to this information being made public arguing that a person arrested for driving while DUI is not guilty until found guilty by a Judge.
Charges being written up.
When asked an HRPS spokesperson said: “The decision to release the names of those charged with DUI offences was not made lightly by the Halton Regional Police Service.”
While the number of charges laid nationally is getting smaller “ impaired driving still remains one of the most frequent criminal offences and is among the leading criminal causes of death in Canada. In addition, while alcohol-impaired driving is down over the past several decades, drug-impaired driving is on the rise”.
“In an effort to bring more attention to the risk of driving while impaired, assist in identifying witnesses, and reduce continued offences, the Service will continue to issue a media release publishing the name, age and municipality of motorists charged with impaired driving.”
The Police Services Act permits this disclosure for individuals charged with a Criminal Offence.
Related news stories:
Two arrested for driving while under the influence
Region police now releasing names
The police may have a right to do this but it is a despicable practice. I agree with the points made above by Mr. White. He mentions the embarrassment of family members. Those people are innocent of any crime but are made to suffer. There is also the potential of mistaken identity. A person with a common name could find their name published for drunk driving when in fact they are were not the person charged and are completely innocent. This could not only create embarrassment for them and their family but could be damaging in regards to employment as well. This policy is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
I was a reporter for many decades as well as an editor, and am still working in a minor capacity as a journalist. The names of offenders was always available. It was left to the discretion of each newspaper whether or not to release the names. Most papers held back publishing names of men arrested in toilets as sex offenders because it often had an adverse effect of wives and children. But the names of drunk drivers was always released. In my day drugs were not yet a big factor. Today, DIU has a much wider implication, and such persons have no right to privacy because they give up that right once they get behind the wheel and endanger the lives of others. It’s up to each form of media to make the decision whether or not to publish he name.
I don’t condone drinking and driving, but I also respect the rights of citizens and the principle that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Releasing the names of those charged and not yet convicted is presumptuous and unfair. Publishing the names of those charged can also create embarrassment for family members. Instead of bringing attention it will invite ridicule.
In the interests of fairness Halton Regional Police Services needs to back off and re-think this strategy. They may have the right to do it under the Police Services Act but that doesn’t mean they have to act upon it.