Don't ever get a DUI

[friskinator]

You already wasted your money on the attorney. Get rid of he or she immediately. Unless they can prove that the machine was improperly calibrated there's no reason for an attorney. There's virtually nothing that can be done. My suggestion to you is to take your lumps and plead no contest.

Sorry, but this isn’t true at all. A good attorney can make a huge difference with the outcome of the case. In my wife’s practice, she had good relationships with many members of the court staff (prosecutors, judges, etc), and she often got sentences reduced because of those positive relationships. That (plus knowledge of the law) is what you’re paying for.

Going into a situation like this with no legal counsel is the worst thing you can do. Saying “there’s virtually nothing that can be done” is simply wrong.

 

[Gorn]

Spending money on a bad lawyer is a bad idea. Good ones can work wonders.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You can perform your own brain surgery. Hat doesn't mean you should.

 

[rtslinger]

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.

Ouch! good luck, I don't drink during gigs and I only drink a beer or some wine at home on rare occasions.

 

[FingerDub]

Sorry, but this isn’t true at all. A good attorney can make a huge difference with the outcome of the case. In my wife’s practice, she had good relationships with many members of the court staff (prosecutors, judges, etc), and she often got sentences reduced because of those positive relationships. That (plus knowledge of the law) is what you’re paying for.

Going into a situation like this with no legal counsel is the worst thing you can do. Saying “there’s virtually nothing that can be done” is simply wrong.

Of course you're going to defend your wife.

The penalties rarely change regardless of relationships and in general court hate when you waste their time. Most DAs have pretty high numbers and conviction rates that they have to keep up. They don't bargain unless you were their relative type of thing.

OP. Talk to other people. Get kid of them now. You are going to end up with a conviction no matter what. Might as well not waste another $3,500.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I stopped drinking when drinking and driving was still legal.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

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.

Actually, a judge can do that. He can give you the option of AA or jail time. But, it is your choice.

 

[Gorn]

Of course you're going to defend your wife.

The penalties rarely change regardless of relationships and in general court hate when you waste their time. Most DAs have pretty high numbers and conviction rates that they have to keep up. They don't bargain unless you were their relative type of thing.

OP. Talk to other people. Get kid of them now. You are going to end up with a conviction no matter what. Might as well not waste another $3,500.

Do you have any stats to back this up? Are dui offenders in court not more likely to get more lenient consequences with an attorney? I don't have any stats to back up the idea that getting a lawyer is a smart choice, but I'd be interested in information to the contrary if you have any.

 

[Brad Johnson]

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.

Good luck.

This is exactly why I don't drink when I know I'm driving. And it always seems that situations where I might drink required me to drive. So I stopped decades ago. I gig with people who do but knowing how random a traffic stop can be I don't gamble. And on each of those stops I'm thankful that I hadn't been under any influence.

 

[friskinator]

Of course you're going to defend your wife.

The penalties rarely change regardless of relationships and in general court hate when you waste their time. Most DAs have pretty high numbers and conviction rates that they have to keep up. They don't bargain unless you were their relative type of thing.

OP. Talk to other people. Get kid of them now. You are going to end up with a conviction no matter what. Might as well not waste another $3,500.

Ok, cool. If you ever get in trouble, go to court with no legal counsel and let all of us know how it works out.

 

[Gorn]

When I was a young(er) delinquent junkie, there was never a time I was before a judge where not having a lawyer would've worked out to my advantage. Granted, I never dealt with a drunk driving offense, but having a lawyer there never hurt me. This is anecdotal or course but whether it's a good and expensive lawyer or whatever public defender you get stuck with, I can't imagine that you're better off without one. You can always earn more money. You can't earn back time spent in prison.

 

[the harp unstrung]

...got my DUI on the 3rd of July, 1996...please note the singular.

That was 48 hours after the legal limit went from .10, to .08.
I fell in between the two.

Yeah, the state of Georgia got my UNdivided...

I am, and have been since 7/3/96, the best, most reliable DD in the state.

No Jerkin’ Around!

If a person gets a 2nd DUI, their problem is not drinking & Driving...

I like beer...prolly always will...but I Never mix the two.

 

[briandavismurph]

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.

I should have included this link to A Naked Mind as well Join The Alcohol Experiment Free!
Also you can sign up for Annie Grace's emails which she sends out quite often.
They are very insightful and thought provoking about YOUR relationship with alcohol.
My new alcohol is deep and restful sleep every night. The one thing I can say with certainty is you will instantly become a much better musician if you are not impaired. Imagine that.

 

[zontar]

BAC affects diffèrent people in different ways
There are people who are under the legal BAC who shouldn't be driving (& that is part of the reason some places restrict new drivers to 0%)
and others can be over, but feel & perform fine.
Still for most of us it matches.

So--don't take chances.
It's better to err on the side of not driving.

 

[10cc]

And if you do find yourself pulled over and you have been drinking do not do the following:
Field sobriety test
Breathalyzer

Chances are you are going to be arrested anyway, so don’t give them any evidence to later use against you in court. Blood test included.

With Uber and Lyft being so cheap and easy I bet more people indulge nowadays than they did five years ago.

 

[roller]

To Clyde and everyone who has chimed in on this thread with their stories, a genuine "thank you." You folks have made the world you reach a better place by putting your messages out there, even if you only have a positive effect on one or two of us... but something makes me think that number will be much higher.

And Clyde, I know you're dealing with some crummy stuff right now... but like others have said, this will pass... and at least you didn't hurt anyone. Hang tough and smile, knowing you did a fantastic thing by starting this thread.

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.

 

[Texan]

I hope you are able to stick with your plan to never do it again

I only drink at home, and thats very seldom. The risk is not worth the reward.

 

[bobba66]

A guy I worked with and I received DUI's within a couple months of each other. He had money, and spent a bunch of it on a lawyer. I was broke, and took my chances. We both got the same exact sentences. This was in Port Charlotte, Florida in 1990.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Yes, one example, three years ago, when you have no information that your circumstances were the same, is a great example to use.

 

[charlie monroe]

The Headsman’s axe was not honed to such a sharp edge back in 1990, either.