>>Why do people get arrested for DUI or loitering ? If somebody is DUI, take his keys away and he can pick it
>>up next morning or 24H later, and who is victimized by loitering ?
>>What am I missing ?
>
>DUI is a crime and, in the last 20 years or so, we've gotten serious about it, since folks who drive drunk once tend to do it again, and sooner or later, someone gets hurt or killed. Around here, they have a "diversion" program for first-time DUIs that lets them avoid jail time by doing, I think, a mix of community service and classes. But after that, you go to jail.
>

You don't get jail time for DUI unless you hurt or kill someone. The fines get bigger all the time, though, and so does the chance of losing your license. Which I applaud. (I have never had a DUI, in case you were wondering; there are some things that are too dumb to do even if you are drunk).