Despite 27 DWIs, how did Danny Bettcher get a license? (Excerpt)

Danny Lee Bettcher had a valid driver’s license when he got his 28th DWI

Source: Star Tribune

By Brandon Stahl and Paul Walsh Star

OCTOBER 7, 2017

Danny Lee Bettcher already had a state record 27 drunken driving arrests and had spent the past 10 years in and out of jails and prison.

But somehow the 64-year-old western Minnesotan possessed a valid license on Sept. 28 and was served alcohol at a New York Mills VFW. Shortly after leaving the bar, he was arrested and charged with DWI No. 28.

Prolific offenders such as Bettcher illustrate an aspect of Minnesota’s drunken driving laws that troubles law enforcement and advocacy groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): No matter how many drunken driving arrests one driver racks up – whether seven, 17 or 27 – there is no law in Minnesota allowing for someone to lose their license for life.

http://www.startribune.com/despite-27-dwis-how-did-danny-bettcher-get-a-license/449917633/