Local DWI attorney gets tongue-lashing by Texas senator

Update: Mimi Coffey has responded to this post and to Sen. Patrick. Read it here.

You’ve probably seen Mimi Coffey’s provocative signs and billboards around town, defending social drinking.

She’s a well-known DWI lawyer, so it’s not surprising that she’d go to Austin to voice her opinion about  a proposed bill that would give first-time drunken drivers deferred adjudication.

But during her testimony before the Senate Criminal Justice Committee – when she said only 14,000 people have died in alcohol-related traffic fatalities - she offended Sen. Dan Patrick (R, Houston) who chewed her out afterward.

Take a look:

-- Melody McDonald

Comments

[ACitizen]

I can't figure out which side of the argument Mimi Coffey is speaking to. But it really doesn't matter because deferred adjudication IS NOT an appropriate response to ANY DWI conviction. EVERY DWI conviction should result in a two year prison term for the FIRST conviction and subsequent convictions should result 10-year, 20-year and 30-year sentences with NO EARLY RELEASE for any reason.

[Andy Platt]

When you're dealing with a number as large as 14,000, it's probably better to switch to a percentage to make your figures sound low. 1% seems like a lot less.

[Max Effort!]

I would think someone who markets her law firm so aggressively would know enough about public speaking to realize that a comment like that will obviously turn her audience against her.

[Lucas Hart III]

Dan Patrick is a showboating hypocritical clown who is so insecure he will not even let this woman respond . . .

[Discolives4ever]

Wonder how many people are killed by guns every year and this senator UNDOUBTEDLY would support the NRA

[Mike from Venus]

I agree and understand where mimi is coming from and defend her.she is not saying that it is ok too drink and drive and kill someone.she is saying things happen in life and people do deserve a chance..and after all if the state is really concerned about lives why don't they stop tobacco products which kills millions every year not just 14,000 ..the reason being is they make money they don't care about our lives..but MIMI is defending a good cause and it is sad for those killed..God bless..Mike

[Kat]

While he responded based upon his understanding or interpretation of what she said, she did not say "only" 14,000. It seemed to me that she was attempting to suggest that DWI prosecution numbers are disproportionate to the actual seriousness of the crime based upon the number of DWI deaths. His comments were an unfair grand stand. She should have been allowed to respond but, of course, he didn't want her to do that.

[john_q]

As a peace officer who deals with drunk drivers on a daily basis I beleive our laws should be stricter on DWI's. I applaude the senator's remarks. Everyone of us should be totally outraged at the loss of lives to drunk drivers. We should also change the law and do away with the DUI minor charge for the over 16 and under 21 group. They should be charged with DWI the same as an adult. It is the same crime. Deferred adjudication is not an option in my book.

[Corey Dupree]

How is this news? Looks like Ms. McDonald is more into humiliating someone she disagrees with rather than journalism.

[Dean]

In the end its not going to matter because this world is about to see things that people couldnt imagine, namely our destruction at the hands of three or four differant things including a comment NASA is so concerned about, that they have erased it from YOUTUBE. So Mimi and everyone else can keep going to New Orleans and having a good time but just remember, this isnt a joke! the ancients warned us and now its about time to find out.

[Ben Dover]

Dan Patrick is a rotten self-appointed spokesman for the American Taliban.

[Ernest T.]

Was this a slow news day? Must have been if the S-T saw fit to post this in here.

Loved how insecure Dan Patrick is that he did not even allow Mimi to respond.

[Jo Anne Robinson]

If you see the accidents from wrong way drivers,all sighted for DWI, I think you would be terrified to think of driving on a highway where they were allowed to drive. I think most who defend them have a problem themselves, or someone they love needs defending. God help us to see one life lost,or injured for life, is one life too many. Thank you

[True Justice]

If it weren't for the 1 million + timely arrests there would probably be many more than 14000 deaths. Any person with common sense would recognize that that many deaths is unacceptable.

[4th Generation Texas Lawyer]

She is opposed to deferred adjudiciatino for one simple reason: it would mean fewer people would want to try DWI cases, and that's how she makes most of her money. So, her position has NOTHING to do with public safety or public policy or the preposterous notion that giving deferred adjudication to first time offenders would lead to the abolition of deferred adjudication for all crimes, as she mentions. it is simply because it will hit her in the pocketbook, as she makes a living by convincing people to go to trial (the vast majority of whom lose) when they should enter a plea and avoid paying her high legal fees. She shows exactly what she is, a self-interested hack (and apparently not very good at critical analysis...think what kind of trial lawyer she is if she is so stupid as to make a comment like "only 14,000 alcohol related deaths" to a Texas Senate Committee? Imagine what she might say to a jury?

[Yvonne M]

Actually, she did say "only 14,000." I understand that things happen in life but that doesn't make drunk driving any less of a crime. I know two good, decent people that had to deal with DWI cases. It's not easy and doesn't seem fair when going through the legal system, especially if someone is truly innocent. However, I have seen the flip side having lost a dear friend to a drunk driving accident. I've also been side-swiped by a woman out on her third DWI offense. There are countless injustices and hypocrisies - this is the world that we live in - but devaluing any life is something I take offense to as well. I am not a fan of Dan Patrick but applaud him for standing up and remembering those constituents that can't speak for themselves (at least in this instance). Also, he doesn't have to allow for a rebuttal as it is not a debate. Coffey stated her opinion. He stated his.

[One of the 14,000 families]

I applaud him for speaking up. My brother is one of the 14,000 that Coffey's clientele killed. He called her out for being insensitive and didn't want to hear her back-peddling apology. He's not insecure about her speaking, but it would clearly be a waste of time. Each side made their points, time to move on.

[Joan Alvey]

Being the sister of an 18 year old girl that was killed by a drunk driver in 1983, every time I drive by one of this law firms billboards my stomach clinches up. If it was normal social drinking they would never get in a car and drive. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE who get in a car drunk is a potential killer and should be prosecuted to the extent of the law. That includes myself if I were to be so stupid to drive after drinking. Ms. Coffey is in her profession to make money and THAT is her only consideration when it comes to this issue.

[Rights Protector]

I find it offensive that Sen. Patrick would attack Ms. Coffey and then not give her the opportunity to respond. Ms. Coffey attempted to point out that even one death is too many but was cut off and then not allowed to respond. It is easy to be on a high horse if you control the pulpit. It was clear that the Senator is for zero alcohol level inorder to drive as was shown buy his statements which shows what a zealot he is. No one condones DUIs or DWIs but responsible social drinking should be protected. It shouldn't be against the law to have a glass of wine with your dinner and drive home if it doesn't affect your driving ability.

[Jonathan B. Morgan]

Mimi Coffey's comments were taken out of context. Why in the WORLD would anyone, particularly someone who is AS involved in DWI as Ms. Coffey is, ever talk disparagingly or minimize the amount of fatalities related to DWI? Trust me, she is much smarter than that and doesn't deserve to be railroaded by some forgettable State Senator from Houston. I can be sure, having worked in politics for many years now, that Sen. Patrick's comments have been misconstrued before, although perhaps not televised or recorded. There is something to be said for someone like Ms. Coffey who dedicates her time to defending people in "social drinking" related DWI cases. I concur with Sen. Patrick in his comment, but not the fashion in which he delivered it (in a bully type manner), but nonetheless, the comments were strictly taken out of context. Mimi Coffey is very credible in this area and considered an expert, else she wouldn't have been asked to testify in front of said committee.