Don't ever get a DUI

[Clyde_Simpleton]

Trust me it's a lot cheaper to get an uber. I was a dumbass last weekend and drove home after a gig after I had a few beers. I wasn't fall down drunk stupid but had enough to be over the limit. I just wasn't thinking and went through a checkpoint. I was compliant with the officers and now I'm facing a dui first offence charge. I've already spent 1,700 dollars and all I've done is hired an attorney and got my vehicle out of impound. Updates will follow.

 

[two fingers]

Dang. Good luck with the rest.

 

[Clyde_Simpleton]

Dang. Good luck with the rest.

Thanks. I'm looking at a minimum of 1 year restricted license (to and from work) interlock which is a breathalyzer to make your vehicle start, fr-44 insurance for 4 years which is going to run 3 to 4 years at 200 to 300 bucks a month and asap classes. All in all I'm going to end up spending over 9,000 dollars or more.

 

[TOOL460002]

Thanks. I'm looking at a minimum of 1 year restricted license (to and from work) interlock which is a breathalyzer to make your vehicle start, fr-44 insurance for 4 years which is going to run 3 to 4 years at 200 to 300 bucks a month and asap classes. All in all I'm going to end up spending over 9,000 dollars or more.

Ouch. Ya, 9-10k sounds about right. At least you didnt wreck and hurt yourself or others. No matter how safe you think you're being, 0.0% BAC is kinda the only way to be sure. Best of luck with court and adapting to a restricted license. Might be a long year but you'll be alright.

 

[mrpackerguy]

This thread is a helluva thing you're doing. Thanks . Wish you the best.

 

[Pedalnetics]

I always told myself my drinking was under control because I never drove when I knew I shouldn't. One night I did. Nothing happened, except I got home and realized I broke the one rule I had. Haven't touched a drink since, and haven't missed it at all. The book 'This Naked Mind' answered the question for me of why I thought I was special that night and was fine to drive even after I mentally calculated I was over. If you are ever interested I'd happily send you a copy for free, just shoot me a PM.

Stay strong, and may you be in a better place mentally and physically than where you started this journey.

 

[Clyde_Simpleton]

I really appreciate the support this community has shown me. It's not my first alcohol related charge I've had but it will surely be my last. I'm done drinking and running from my problems. I will accept whatever punishment the judge deems fit and be a man about the situation.

 

[Stumbo]

. I'm done drinking and running from my problems.

Gotta run TOWARDS your problems and come up with a plan to deal with them.

Leaving alcohol out of the equation is just the first step.

$9k could have gone a long ways towards treatment, therapy, etc.

You have a second chance!

You can do it! TB's got your back.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I drove drunk a lot when I lived abroad & finally quite when I nearly killed myself in an accident in 2006.
Haven't driven under the influence since.

Thankfully no one else was injured in my accident. Crashed into a concrete power pole:

 

[blastoff99]

I suspect the judge will send you to AA for a year or two. I further suspect that since this isn't your first alcohol-related charge, you know something about this already. PM if I can be of help.

 

[Chad Michael]

Diabetics with low blood sugar are on the roads.

People who are dead tired are on the roads.

People who are distracted by their smart phones are on the roads.

The danger is much, much bigger than just booze.

I wish safe travels to everyone, and that we all make correct decisions before we go motoring.

 

[Chad Michael]

Clyde, this must be a humbling experience. I wish you the best - let the one who has never made a mistake cast the first stone.

 

[TOOL460002]

I suspect the judge will send you to AA for a year or two. I further suspect that since this isn't your first alcohol-related charge, you know something about this already. PM if I can be of help.

Well a judge cannot force you to go to AA. It has nothing to do with the government. However, it is a great idea to go to AA meetings and have them signed off (Just make yourself a bare bones spread sheet). Showing up to court with proof of meetings and already being enrolled in DUI school lets the judge see your earnestness.

Multiple offenses in a given time frame are different though, and there are mandatory license suspensions etc, but this is more general info. OP probably knows. For a cut and dry no damage or additional crime case, I dont know if a lawyer would help. Worth a call at least.

 

[friskinator]

My wife used to be a DUI lawyer. I learned first hand how easy it is to get arrested for DUI, and there’s a common misconception that only drunks or addicts get DUIs. Not true. She met plenty of soccer moms, senior citizens leaving book club, and businessmen leaving happy hour that weren’t all stumbling drunk when they were arrested. It really doesn’t take that much to get over the legal limit in most states.

And yes, it can be very expensive. Her fee for a first time offense was $6K. Unfortunately for her, Uber and other ride-sharing services began to affect her business in a big way, so she decided to get out. Bad for lawyers, but good for society and safety!

 

[briandavismurph]

I always told myself my drinking was under control because I never drove when I knew I shouldn't. One night I did. Nothing happened, except I got home and realized I broke the one rule I had. Haven't touched a drink since, and haven't missed it at all. The book 'This Naked Mind' answered the question for me of why I thought I was special that night and was fine to drive even after I mentally calculated I was over. If you are ever interested I'd happily send you a copy for free, just shoot me a PM.

Stay strong, and may you be in a better place mentally and physically than where you started this journey.

AMEN to This Naked Mind, also check out Invalid Link Removed if you think you should take a break or stop drinking all together. Did it over two years ago and never looked back. Now I drive home from gigs with impunity, no worries other than the other drunks on the street that I need to avoid.

 

[TOOL460002]

My wife used to be a DUI lawyer. I learned first hand how easy it is to get arrested for DUI, and there’s a common misconception that only drunks or addicts get DUIs. Not true. She met plenty of soccer moms, senior citizens leaving book club, and businessmen leaving happy hour that weren’t all stumbling drunk when they were arrested. It really doesn’t take that much to get over the legal limit in most states.

And yes, it can be very expensive. Her fee for a first time offense was $6K. Unfortunately for her, Uber and other ride-sharing services began to affect her business in a big way, so she decided to get out. Bad for lawyers, but good for society and safety!

Dang. She was more expensive than my lawyer at the time. Must be better! I feel ya though. If people don't get hit on bikes by cars my brother would be out of work. Law is a weird business.

That said, what does your wife think of this:

Get DUI. Get provisional license so you can drive to places like AA meetings, but NOT a grocery store. Get AA big book AND meeting schedule. Leave that in passenger seat. Then plan anything you need to do around AA meetings so that if you do get pulled over, you have the book, the schedule, the sign in sheet, etc. Would you hide groceries you bought? Does the sign in sheet matter? You can just scribble that in. Has she ever had cases where folks did that? Just curious.

That said. Seriously. Dont drink and drive. I did once a decade ago. One of the worst decisions of my life. Even worse for young folks. Not to disregard the OP, but I hope drunk driving fades out. Somehow.

 

[Huw Phillips]

Good luck with your year ahead, I drunk and drove in France when I lived there but have not driven much hear, I drove down to FL from NY once and came behind a guy who was drunk or falling asleep on the I95 he nearly got dead about 30 times, I can still see him now and wonder what happened, hope all goes well, I think your half way there having confronted the problem.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Well a judge cannot force you to go to AA. It has nothing to do with the government. However, it is a great idea to go to AA meetings and have them signed off (Just make yourself a bare bones spread sheet). Showing up to court with proof of meetings and already being enrolled in DUI school lets the judge see your earnestness.

Multiple offenses in a given time frame are different though, and there are mandatory license suspensions etc, but this is more general info. OP probably knows. For a cut and dry no damage or additional crime case, I dont know if a lawyer would help. Worth a call at least.

Not an issue of "forcing". They can offer something less as a sentence if you do it. OP I'm glad nothing more serious happened. Good luck.

 

[blastoff99]

Well a judge cannot force you to go to AA. It has nothing to do with the government.

Uh, you can be court ordered to AA. This doesn't mean you can't cheat, and sign your slips yourself with a variety of handwriting styles. I'm sure people do that. But I know countless people in AA who were required to go by the judge. Obviously the judge couldn't make them do the steps or get anything out of it. But s/he could sentence them to go. Being part of the government or not (I know full well it isn't; I'm not an idiot) has nothing to do with it and I never said it did. A judge can sentence people to various types of community service that have nothing to do with the government, either.

But back to the OP: I wish him well, and this thread is a great PSA. DUI is no joke, and if it wrecks only your own life for awhile, you got darn lucky.

 

[TOOL460002]

Uh, you can be court ordered to AA. This doesn't mean you can't cheat, and sign your slips yourself with a variety of handwriting styles. I'm sure people do that. But I know countless people in AA who were required to go by the judge. Obviously the judge couldn't make them do the steps or get anything out of it. But s/he could sentence them to go. Being part of the government or not (I know full well it isn't; I'm not an idiot) has nothing to do with it and I never said it did. A judge can sentence people to various types of community service that have nothing to do with the government, either.

But back to the OP: I wish him well, and this thread is a great PSA. DUI is no joke, and if it wrecks only your own life for awhile, you got darn lucky.

I think I misspoke or wasn't specific enough. Yes, you can negotiate things like rehab, AA, community service etc in lieu of a jail sentence. I personally did rehab over jail a long time ago (not alcohol but relevant). My buddy was at the salvation army over jail. I guess in the end, the real point is this: You do stupid stuff and your options are anywhere from jail to hospitals to meetings to other options, all of which will impact your personal freedom and daily life. I mean in no way to take away from the OP and the crap he will have to deal with, but if anyone reads this and doesn't drink and drive or whatever it's a success to me. Sorry for being petty.