>http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/16/florida.nfl.player.plea/index.html

I'm a real hardnose when it comes to drunk driving, but all things considered, with 2 years of house arrest, 8 years of probation, random drug testing and mandatory counselling, along with a lifetime driving suspension, I think he was actually treated more harshly than about 99% of others in the same situation.

I don't know about the U.S., but up here, drunk driving is still treated like a minor infraction, and the carnage goes on. Generally, you can get a lifetime suspension on a third dui conviction.

There was a case here where a drunk driver killed 2 women and got 12 years and a lifetime suspension, but he was driving while already suspended. It's considered an exceptional case. And 12 years doesn't come close afaic.