Family member trying to 'get off' drink driving charge.

[jeezlouize]

Namechanged.

My BIL was arrested and charged with drink driving last week. He was 3 times over the limit. There has been much whispering amongst the family since, hearing dribs and drabs about what happened etc but last night everyone got together for a meal at PIL's house. The atmosphere was tense to say the least.
Halfway through the night my FIL (BIL's dad) brought up the subject of the drink driving charge and said he'd like to speak to us all about it as he had something to ask us all.
It turns out BIL has been seeing a lawyer who claims he can 'get him off' with the charge. FIL was asking if we could all chip in financially to pay for this lawyer. It would be about £500 per couple (there are 5 couples in the family).
The reason being, BIL will automatically lose his job if he loses his license. My SIL doesn't work and they have 4dc.
I am very, very angry with BIL, and frankly disgusted at this suggestion about this lawyer. It has caused some tension between me and DH (BIL's brother). This is not about the money, it's about the principle. AIBU in thinking BIL should be punished for what he's done? I'm really agonising over this as I don't want SIL and dcs to suffer.

Slightly off topic, but the Scottish Government is currently consulting on lowering the limits in Scotland if you want to have your say.

oh sorry, just seen you did update a couple of pages back, ignore me! (but I stand by the fact I'm sure if he set his mind to it, he could raise the money some other way, that doesn't involve asking for handouts from family)

I'd be sending info on the effects of drunk driving to your family too and making your DH read it.

FWIW if DP did this I would leave him. Driving very drunk is tantamount to murder in my view, as you couldn't stop yourself killing someone in otherwise normal circumstances and when you get in the car you know that.

I've always been in favour of a zero policy. If I'm driving I dont drink at all as, as a very occasional drinker I feel my tolerence level is very low so will have no truck with the "you can have one surely". Yes I have taken stick for it in the past but I dont care.

However my so recently took part in some medical testing. He had a couple of drinks on the Saturday night and a trace of alcohol was still detected in his blood tests on, (I think) Monday evening (not sure of the actual details until he comes in)

Really glad OP that your DH listened and came round to your point of view - nicely done. On a slight tangent, he's asking family for the whole lawyer's fee so that suggests that they have no savings whatsoever. I am rather shocked that the employed father of four children would not have any money put aside for emergencies. Sounds like he is not just irresponsible behind the wheel, he's also fiscally irresponsible. Has he pissed it all away down the pub?