>Why should his previous convictions not be used in court? I would think that they are very important. Our justice system has some very obvious flaws.
>
>http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3218206/

I've often wondered that myself, and the only reason I can come up with is that in certain types of cases (murder for example), if the prosecution must prove that the defendant actually committed the crime, then whatever else he's done is not really relevant. They have to prove he did this particular crime. The fact that he did a similar crime previously proves nothing more than capability. It doesn't prove guilt, but some juries may take it that way, and the real perp (if not the guy on trial) walks.

In a dui like this one, where his actual guilt is not in question, but only intent, then like you, I think previous actions matter a whole lot.