Man gets 6 months in prison for third DUI

A Bonners Ferry man was sentenced to six months at North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood for his third DUI in less than 10 years and punching a man in the eye.

Clinton Price, 30, on June 16, hit the man then followed the victim to the hospital and on the way was pulled over by Bonners Ferry Police Office  Don Moore, according to court records  Moore smelled alcohol on Price’s breath and tested him for DUI.  He was arrested for felony DUI and misdemeanor battery.

At sentencing, Boundary County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Douglas expressed his concern for Price’s behavioral patterns.

“Price says the reason he gets in trouble is because of the other person and has not taken responsibility,” said Douglas.  “He needs to control his drinking because that is when he gets angry and unreasonable.”

Price has a history of crimes that include battery, hit and run, DUI and domestic violence.

Douglas told Judge Patrick Luster that Price is in need of counseling for his drinking and inability to control his anger.

“He has committed some pretty serious crimes,” Douglas said.  “He needs to take responsibility himself; it worries me and it worries  law enforcement.  I will say this on the record, I think he has the potential to commit a homicide.”

Douglas expressed concern that placing Price on probation would not protect society, and jail and counseling would give Price a chance to prove he would be a good candidate for probation.

“There isn’t much I can do, but try and recommend prison.  He has a bad attitude.  He is unrepentant, irresponsible, doesn’t pay child support, behaves like the whole world is all about him,” said Douglas. 

He recommended 180 days local jail, anger management counseling and Alcoholics Anonymous.

“I don’t think it is too much to ask for  two to three meetings a week, judge and proof that he is actually attending these meetings,” said Douglas.

Michael Waldrup, the attorney for Price, told the judge he did not believe more local jail time would serve to protect society.

“I do agree with council that he needs some kind of treatment and counseling,” said Waldrup.  “His father committed suicide more than a year ago, which basically led us where we are today.”

Waldrup told the judge that Price was ready to line up counseling and would  attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days. 

“ He is trying to learn your honor and that is the point he has gone to AA meetings,” Waldrup said. “He has an appointment set up for anger management and he has a better attitude with this case, than he ever has in the past.”   It is a learning process for him he is not denying that.”

 Waldrup asked the judge for a suspended prison sentence and five years probation with counseling and AA meetings. 

“Bottom line again judge is to protect society,  he won’t get the counseling he needs, or keep a job or have time with his kids with local jail time,” Waldrup said.

Luster told Price during sentencing there were things present raising concerns in his case one being the three DUI convictions in a short period of time.

“This creates some problems when we are talking about the protection of society,” said Luster. “When you drink and drive the possibility of hitting or killing someone is a threat to society.”

Luster commented on the threat to the public where violent crimes are concerned. 

“The crime of violence is pretty substantial and seems to be a trend you have had over a period of years,” said Luster. Not having control of your temper when you are consuming alcohol leads to fights, when most of us go through life without getting into a fight, you seem to do it on a regular basis.”

Luster told Price that these were some concerns he had in terms of protecting people. 

“What concerns me as well is the 38 entries in the past 12 years,” said Luster.  “Drug and alcohol offenses, domestic battery, hit and run and cruelty to animals, these lay out a disturbing pattern and you are repeatedly finding yourself in trouble. These charges mixed in with the others does propose somewhat of a threat to society.”

Luster sent him to prison.

“There you will have resources available for substance abuse and treatment thorough programs that will focus on your rehabilitation so you can be successful on probation and be a better citizen and best possible father,” said Luster.