Man Receives First Life Sentence for DWI

Drinking and driving is a serious offense that can lead to devastating consequences, not only for the driver but also for others on the road.

In Texas, one DWI charge can land a person in prison for two to 10 years, with the loss of a driver’s license for two years. For habitual offenders, the consequences are even more severe.

Christopher Faran Stanford, a 50-year-old man from Texas, was recently sentenced to life in prison after receiving his ninth DWI charge.

Stanford, who pleaded guilty to the felony charge, claimed he was “unlucky” rather than irresponsible for repeatedly driving under the influence.

Despite Stanford’s claims, his record showed that he was a danger to the community, with four previous prison sentences for felony DWI offenses.

In the eyes of the law, he was a habitual offender who needed to be locked up to protect others on the road.

Stanford’s ninth DWI charge came after a botched hit-and-run incident that occurred when he ran a red light and crashed his Lincoln MKC on August 15, 2022.

When firefighters and police arrived on the scene, Stanford attempted to flee on foot, telling the victim of the hit-and-run that he had to go and would get in trouble.

Stanford was later caught by the police, and his blood-alcohol content level was found to be 0.267, well above the legal limit of 0.08 in Texas.

Under Texas law, Stanford will be eligible for parole when his actual time served plus his good time credit totals 15 years. While some may argue that a life sentence for drunk driving is too harsh, it is important to remember that this was not Stanford’s first offense.

His repeated actions showed a complete disregard for the law and for the safety of others on the road.

Stanford’s case serves as a wake-up call for those who continue to drink and drive despite the potential consequences.

It is essential to remember that driving under the influence is not only illegal but also dangerous and can lead to tragic outcomes. As much as possible, we must do our part to ensure that we and those around us remain safe on the road.