This is horribly embarrassing and I hate myself for it but I'm just finishing up with my DUI case. I was at home drinking, fell asleep reading and
woke up to a nasty allergic reaction to something. Didn't feel drunk at all, didn't even think about it and hopped in my car to go get some Benadryl.
Got popped, barely blew over. Was handcuffed, taken to the police station and processed. I couldn't believe it was happening as I diligently take
cabs if I've had a few. The cop ended up driving me home because I was too mortified to call family and was going to take a cab.
Get a lawyer. I got a DUI lawyer and ended up paying him about $4,000 up front. If you can't afford your own it really is in your best interest to
get one appointed to you. They make the whole process much easier.
In my state your license isn't automatically revoked. It takes awhile before you have to meet any requirements. Here I was required to get a
breathalyzer installed and get SR-22 insurance. The blow n go is about $60 a month, and the insurance bump was almost negligible. I was surprised by
that.
The lawyer advised me to complete the required treatment prior to my sentencing, it shows you realize how serious the whole thing is. For me this
consisted of an alcohol assessment, attending a victims panel another class who's name I've forgotten and 4 counseling sessions. The assessment and
classes are about $120 a pop, the class is $140 (I think) and the victims panel is $40.
My lawyer kept delaying trials until we got a judge he liked, I plead guilty and my punishment is as follows. $2,400+ in fines of which I about half
can be taken off through community service at $10 an hour, one day in jail (still haven't done it but need to REAL soon) and keeping the blow n go for
a year (you get to apply the time you've already had the thing to this year). The lawyer did some trickery so if I keep my nose clean for 5 years the
thing is taken off my record. This is apparently rather rare.
So for a first offense, I think that's what you're most likely looking at. I was barely over, but it's no excuse and it's important to realize it's
your own damn fault, that you screwed up big and you could have killed someone. Even though I drink a lot I was impaired and when piloting a 4k pound
vehicle that split second of lost reaction time can mean the death of someone's child. Have a good attitude with the judge, be polite and dress like
you're going for a job interview.
Getting that DUI is by far the worst and dumbest thing I've done.
ETA I am not a lawyer and these are just my opinions and personal experiences. Seek legal counsel.
edit on 1-1-2013 by Domo1 because: (no
reason given)