This came via email from an experienced DUI attorney who has a big problem with Bush's explanation of his 1976 DUI. This lawyer suspects that it was not his first drunk driving offense. Is anyone else discussing this?

Bush’s DUI record as posted at Smoking Gun . It reports that Bush’s driver’s license was suspended for two years after his conviction on 10/26/76 under Maine’s 1976 “operating under the influence” statute (29 MRSA sect. 1312 (10). It states his license was reinstated on 10/25/78.

Bush told reporters that he never went to court on this charge, just paid $150 and had his license suspended for “30” days or “briefly”. He may not have gone to court, some states allow attorneys to appear without their clients, but the two year suspension?

In 1976, that would be unthinkable for a first offense. If this was a first offense, the suspension would have been for four months, for a second offense, one year (subject to reduction to six months), and three years for a third offense (subject to reduction to two years). (The Maine legislative reference librarian faxed me the 1976 statute today, saying that it is not accessible on the web.).

If the posted MVA record is correct, Bush must have had two priors within ten years. Have you seen any explanation for this record anywhere? The record first exposed in Maine in 2000 was from the court record, the record on Smoking Gun is from the Secretary of State, MVA.