A Nassau Supreme Court ordered County Executive Thomas Suozzi to remove a woman’s picture and identifying information from an internet page known as the “Wall of Shame” that his office maintained. The idea behind the website was to publicly shame those arrested for DWI.
The woman sued Suozzi alleging that she suffered public humilation, potential loss of employment, and unwarranted calls and e-mails.
She was arrested for driving while intoxicated and also while under the influence of drugs. It is alleged that her blood alcohol level was 0.09 (.08 is the legal limit). However, the drug charge was dismissed when her urine test came back negative. When the woman’s picture was posted, her case had not yet gone to trial.
Talk about the Scarlett Letter! Not to minimize the seriousness of driving while intoxicated, but the government posting a picture and identifying information on the internet of a person only charged with a crime, who has not yet pleaded guilty or been convicted, is inappropriate and excessive.
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