Side profile of a young man driving a car while drinking alcohol

After 4th DWI, Texas Man Argues Legal Limit Discriminates Against Alcoholics

February 19, 2018

Photo: Getty

It seems most people will do just about anything to avoid a prison sentence. But Ralph Alfred Friesenhahn deserves some kind of award for his recent brazen argument in court.

The San Antonio man was arrested in 2016 for his fourth DWI (or DUI — driving under the influence). Recently, while in court, instead of owning up to his belligerent and careless actions that put his life and the lives of countless other drivers in danger, he proceeded to argue that he deserved to avoid his four-year prison sentence because Texas’ legal limit on intoxicated driving discriminates against alcoholics.

I’m going to type that out one more time — He ‘believes’ Texas’ legal limit on intoxicated driving discriminates against alcoholics.

You see, Friesenhahn argued that Texas’ standard driving limit of 0.08 blood-alcohol concentration ignores those with higher tolerances, people like himself who believe they can still drive with more blood in their system because of their higher tolerances, people he called a “protected class of alcoholics.”

Of course the court wasn’t buying the argument, saying the law doesn’t unfairly single out alcoholics because it applies equally to all drivers.

Statesman

Friesenhahn not only failed to present evidence that alcoholics are a protected class under the Americans With Disabilities Act or other federal law, he also failed to prove that the law treats alcoholics differently than other DWI defendants, said the opinion by Justice Cindy Olson Bourland.

“Instead, he argues that they ‘should’ be treated differently … and thus fails to establish an equal-protection violation,” Bourland wrote.

Mr. Friesenhahn sounds like quite the champ. His recent arrest came after he rolled his car over along a rural county road. He had a BAC of 0.29. He was also reportedly convicted for driving drunk in 1985, 1990 and 1998.

Kids, don’t be like Mr. Friesenhahn.

And don’t forget this: Florida Man Gets Third DUI At McDonald’s Drive-Thru Then Tries To Prove He’s Sober By Doing A Cartwheel

Josh Helmuth is a contributor for Mandatory who also likes sporty things. Follow him here.

Josh is originally from the small berg of Arthur, Ill, proudly the Amish capital of the state. It also has one hell of a pumpkin patch.

Josh has enjoyed dipping his toes into a variety of careers since graduating from the University of Alabama, the most rewarding thus far having served as a youth director in southern California for four years, and his broadcasting career which has garnered two Emmy awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Josh enjoys loud rock music, Tom Hanks movies, dogs that like to cuddle and long runs. He is also always in search for America's greatest cheeseburger. Follow him here if you would like to be friends!