Drinking and Driving My revelation

[big0mar]

well according to the insurance company. They will pay out retail value on my car, and cover damages on the other vehicle. Along with paying the towing and impounding fees. But they will drop me off my insurance policy. After reading many post and message boards from other DUI arrests it seems to me that all im looking at is a shit load of fees and possibly 48 hours in jail, suspended license for one year( which can be reduced to 6 months for work hardships) , and you can do community service to get penalties and fines reduced along with jail time dismissed. I hope im not sounding ignorant here but what am i benefiting here from getting a lawyer? I doubt the DUI charge can get completely removed. If i didn't crash my car maybe i could just get reckless driving but i doubt that's the case here. As i said the license suspension isn't a huge deal to me cause i can do public transportation for 6 months even tho it would suck.

You most certainly can have the case dismissed if you have a good enough lawyer.

[fearless]

We're all one stupid mistake away from death or worse. At least you won't ever drink and drive again.

[Shortstop]

if the cops missed any important step along the way in charging you the lawyer can exploit it.
Laws vary greatly for state to state though. 1st DUI here is mandatory 2 days jailtime.

I've been involved in 2 DUI episodes, 1 was hauling ass and flipped my truck about 5 times but I took off and left my truck. The next morning I turned myself in still drunk and they knew it. I smelled of a liquor store is what they said but nothing they could do after the fact. I was charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene and a few other charges. After I got out of jail I went and talked to the judge in his office and he dropped all charges except the reckless driving. I paid my fine same day and he let me keep my llicense and no probation since I paid all fines that day.
the other episode my wife was driving after we had went out and had literally a few drinks but she wasnt paying attention to the road and hit a parked car also She jerked the wheel when we hit and it also rolled over on us. She had a Ford Escape and it flipped way to easy. I told her to take off and I stayed and waited on the cops. Long story short she got a lawyer and all charges were dropped. They tried to charge her with DUI along with a slue of other charges but she got off scott free by paying a good lawyer $2500.

I dont drink and drive anymore, I might drive after a few beers but no longer am I a reckless fvck. Glad I never hurt anyone else.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

You most certainly can have the case dismissed if you have a good enough lawyer.

If i didn't get in a accident id certainly assume so. The fact that i hit a car and didn't get pulled over i think kills the case. If i got pulled over and refused to take the breathalyzer with any hole in the wall lawyer i could probably get it reduced to reckless driving. In this circumstance i doubt a lawyer can do much besides get my license back sooner. I have a consultation with a lawyer on Monday and I'll let y'all no whats up

[ChuteBoxe]

Keep your head up man, and best of luck with the whole situation. Everyone makes mistakes.

[DrStale]

If you can't tell the difference between driving drunk and driving after a few beers you're an idiot.

[AMBlai01]

We're all one stupid mistake away from death or worse. At least you won't ever drink and drive again.

This was reminded of me just last week. No it wasn't drinking and driving related but someone that ran in my circle died just a week ago because of a stupid mistake on his part. 24 years old and he lost his life.

[xstud]

Hey Timer, I went through this myself last year (no accident involved) but honestly the best thing to do is just take it one day at a time and learn from your mistake. This most likely will cost a few thousand dollars, lots of stress thinking about it and maybe even a few court dates. The most important thing for you to realize is that a lot of different outcomes can happen depending on the state you are from... but be very thankful nobody got hurt.

In the state I am from automatic license suspension for 6 months, minimum 50 hours community service and minimum 500 dollar fine, DUI school and possible referral to treatment... those are the minimums... so you just have to walk into this knowing that in all liklihood you will face something along those lines. A lawyer did not help me in my case but I hope one can help in yours... you can always go to the 1st hearing where you just plead guilty/not guilty or no contest to see what you are facing.. if it turns out you are facing some harsh stuff then I would fork out for a lawyer... just my thoughts.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

Well in the end cost me over 12,000 and 15 months of a suspended license please people dont do this. Im finally legit and will never drink and drive again. too expensive and too much legal bullshit to go through.

[bobbyfk]

I hope it didn't go on your record

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

I hope it didn't go on your record

Course it did

3500 roughly i paid a Lawyer to get the resisting arrest charge dropped that kept me outa jail for 120 days
2600 for going to jail for 14 hours
1225 state fine for the police arriving at the scene
3000 roughly lost in value on the vehicle i had
1200 for the 15 days of work project i had to do
1200 9 month DUi program i had to participate in

not including the added insurance premiums i now pay.

$30 cab much better option, not as exhilarating though.

[mikejamm]

Expensive lesson bro, but at least you're alive. 12 grand is a lot less than death, or the amount it would have cost you in lawsuits had you injured or killed someone. I can't begin to tell you what is feels like to watch a friend being lowered into the ground because of drunk driving, and he was just a passenger. You're only 19, consider yourself very lucky and never forget how one bad decision can ultimately ruin your life.