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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 2, 1993                   TAG: 9303020343
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN DUI LAWS

IN RESPONSE to the Jan. 31 letter to the editor by Gene and Mary Hartsell, "Judge Apostolou mocked DUI law":

I was once employed by Judge John Apostolou, General District Court, and found him to be an honest, fair and "by the book" person, and particularly in the courtroom. I was not present in his court at the time of this particular hearing but, had I been in attendance, I'm sure I would have heard the facts and realized - as he obviously did - there were qualifying circumstances leading to his decision of not guilty. Further, in his defense, I would like to say he is conscientious and does not take his duties lightly.

I do not condone drunken driving nor advocate that it should not be penalized according to law but, if there are loopholes regarding those arrested, then we, as citizens, should work to close all means of escape for drunken drivers. JEANETTE BURROWS VINTON

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