Critics argue, myself included, that more can be done to stop, discourage, and deter the deadly crime of driving under the influence. A spokesperson from Stop DUI suggests an alcohol-detecting breath ignition device could have been ordered installed by the court. It is my contention that there is not enough done in the justice system to deter this behavior.
Common sense (and my own past reckless, sinful drinking behavior) would dictate that even though 24 year old Hans Bludau has only 1 prior DUI conviction, he has not only driven drunk one prior time before he killed these two human beings. It is not uncommon for 20 somethings to drive dozens of times while drunk before they even make contact with a police officer. Then if they happen to get arrested, they will usually have a lawyer represent them and get the offense knocked down to a reckless driving incident. Then it's off to drunk driving again. Meanwhile, the county jail is all too eager to let the "First-time" DUI offender loose for free without even posting cash bail or a bail bond. Heck, the cop that pulls them over may even give a sober person the opportunity to drive the car home and save the offender 200 bucks on towing. Where is the "sting" for getting caught? How does the system not just embolden this criminal?
After searching the Las Vegas Justice Court records, we found no indication that Bludau ever posted cash bail or had to even pay for a bail bond to be released. Records indicate he was "OR'd" or released on his own recognizance without needing to pay a single cent.
Try not to take police and court propaganda too seriously. They act as if there is this zero tolerance, hardline stance to put an end to drunk driving at times (coincidentally when the public is outraged at killings like this), but then engages in wrist-slapping tactics every other day of the year. Who do you think actually pays the overhead when this drunk drivers get arrested? Not the drunk driver. The court doesn't even collect the 40-50 dollar filing fee for the person's bail when they cut them loose for free. Remember that every time a Sheriff or politician begs you for more tax money.
Clark County Detention Center records now show Hans Bludau is in custody without bail (probably because of the negative publicity on his case) and is awaiting a 72 hour hearing scheduled for this morning. We will keep you updated with new information and if an opportunity to bail out is in his future.