Hillsborough County has implemented a program for at risk teens for 14 years. Most recently the speaker, John Templeton, presented information to the troubled youths on his experience with a sentence of DUI manslaughter. He pled guilty and the Court sentenced him to serve a jail sentence for his crime.
Templeton spent the night in 2002 drinking in downtown Ybor City. He entered southbound interstate highway 275 going the opposite direction. He headed northbound colliding with another vehicle head on. The impact of the crash ejected the victim, 18-year old Julie Buckner, from the wreckage. Buckner died at the scene of the accident.
Templeton pled guilty served nine months behind bars and will be on probation until the year 2017. The State also ordered him to participate in 1000 hours of community service, all of which he completed in 2006. Even though his speaking is not mandated by the Court, Templeton reaches out to the high risk kids in an effort to steer them onto the right path.
The Court granted teens facing charges of domestic violence, armed robbery, and battery and resisting arrest a second chance. These boys were sentenced to this juvenile diversion or Shock program. They attend education courses in lieu of a criminal sentence of jail, prison or probation. The sessions cover a multitude of topics ranging from sexual responsibility to speaking to mourning families at funeral homes.
Templeton has tried to use his life lesson from drinking and driving to help steer young people into a positive direction. I understand that mistakes and lapses of judgment occur, especially when alcohol can impair your decision making abilities. Good people can make poor decisions and often serious repercussions can result from those actions.
I am a Tampa drunk driving attorney who has handled countless alcohol related cases. My firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience and is prepared to take on your driving under the influence case. I will diligently work for you and obtain a fair judgment on your behalf. If you or someone you know are facing a DUI or other alcohol related crime, contact an experienced Tampa DUI attorney for assistance with your case. You are innocent until proven guilty in a Court of law.
