DUIs

Anyone here ever got arrested for DUI? I just got one the other day, my court date is on May 10th. The thing is I wasn't pulled over, i was stopped in a grocery store parking lot after leaving the store and they said i was driving bad. I'm not sure if they got a call or were following me but you would think that if they followed me they would get me before I went in the store. But yea anyways, if anyone has any experience with this let me know what happened and if you know any way I can get it reduced maybe. The crappy thing is my license is supposed to be suspended from June 29th - September 27th but I just sold my car because I thought it would be immediate and my car wasn't worth much more than the impound fee. So I could be driving right now but I can't.

 

Never been arrested for one, but I know a person who has been killed from one.

**** people who drive drunk.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Shard Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone here ever got arrested for DUI? I just got one the other day, my court date is on May 10th. The thing is I wasn't pulled over, i was stopped in a grocery store parking lot after leaving the store and they said i was driving bad. I'm not sure if they got a call or were following me but you would think that if they followed me they would get me before I went in the store. But yea anyways, if anyone has any experience with this let me know what happened and if you know any way I can get it reduced maybe. The crappy thing is my license is supposed to be suspended from June 29th - September 27th but I just sold my car because I thought it would be immediate and my car wasn't worth much more than the impound fee. So I could be driving right now but I can't.</div>

No, I've never gotten a DUI before; I haven't been a real recreational drinker since high school. I've had a lot of friends get them though, so I know the basics.

The severity of it really depends on what your blood alcohol content was. At the very least, you're probably looking at a day of jailtime or the equivalency of community service. That's what it was for first time offenders in Tennessee at least - I know it varies from state to state. I think your license will also be on probation for 3-5 years depending on your state. (EDIT: Did a google search... WA is five years.)

Good luck with all that, bro'.

 

Sounds homo. Not to mention i'll get an MIP. I'm getting a public defender to try to get out of as much as possible but we'll see.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Never been arrested for one, but I know a person who has been killed from one.

**** people who drive drunk.</div>Yea it's not a smart thing to do.


EDIT: I decided to google about the Washington laws and got this...

In some states there is a more severe punishment for those convicted of DUI with a particularly high blood-alcohol content at the point in time of arrest; this is usually .15 to .20 percent above the legal limit. Enhanced penalty laws are not utilised in Washington.

I was pretty scared when I started reading this because my level was .14 but luckily it's not enforced in Washington.

Also,

Alcohol education and prevention program, treatment for alcohol abuse, and evaluation of a person for possible alcohol or drug craving can be required for DUI offenders in Washington. These steps are often recommended instead of serving a sentence of incarceration or paying fines.

I'd be happy if I could take classes instead of paying a huge fine or going to jail.

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd recommend not going with a public defender and hiring a lawyer experienced with DUI cases. Based on what you've explained, it sounds like you have an out to have the DUI dropped entirely. Technically you weren't driving the car when you were arrested. Maybe you can get off with just being publicly drunk, which is a misdemeanor.

How can the officer prove you were the one driving?

Did you take a breathlizer test? Blood test? Pee test?

I'm not sure what the penalties are in Washington, but I know in Cali your first DUI is going to set you back $15K.</div>

I could get a lawyer but I would really hate to have to pay lawyer fees on top of the DUI fee if I lose. I don't think that the officer can prove I was driving, wouldn't it be neglegence on their part to not arrest me when I stopped my car if they were following me? I can't remember exactly what he said but I think it was "we got a call that you were driving erratically". And I wasn't pulled over off of the road so I don't see how they can give me a DUI off of a judgment call by someone else.

I took a breathalizer at the station and got .14, so I definitely will get an MIP or drunk in public. 15K is incredibly steep, i'm going to pray it's not that bad here or it gets dropped because I would be paying that off for a long long time.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Washington Law:</div><div class="quote_post">
First DUI Offense/ no prior DUI offense in the last 7 years and breath test under .15% or no breath test but not a refusal.

First DUI Offense One day in jail minimum, one year maximum OR 15 days Electronic Home Detection First DUI Offense $823 total minimum fine, up to $5,000 fine
First DUI Offense 90 day license suspension
First DUI Offense SR-22 Proof of Insurance
First DUI Offense Probationary license for 5 years after reinstatement
First DUI Offense Up to five years monitored probation
First DUI Offense Ignition interlock may be ordered by the court (Min. time not specified) up to 5 years
First DUI Offense Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to two years)
First DUI Offense Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to five years

First DUI Offense First DUI Offense/ no prior DUI offense in the last 7 years and breath test .15% or higher or refusal to take breath test.

First DUI Offense 2 days in jail minimum, 1 year maximum OR 30 days Electronic Home Detention
First DUI Offense $1078 total minimum, up to $5,000 fine
First DUI Offense One year license revocation
First DUI Offense SR-22 Insurance
First DUI Offense Probationary License for 5 years after reinstatement
First DUI Offense Up to five years monitored probation
First DUI Offense Ignition interlock not less than one year
First DUI Offense Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to 2 years)
First DUI Offense Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to 5 years

One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years and breath test under .15% or no breath test but not a refusal.

One prior DUI Offense 30 days in jail minimum, one year maximum, PLUS 60 days Electronic Home Detention
One prior DUI Offense $1078 total minimum, up to $5,000 fine
One prior DUI Offense Two year license revocation
One prior DUI Offense Driving and knowledge exams
One prior DUI Offense SR-22 Insurance
One prior DUI Offense Probationary license for 5 years after reinstatement
One prior DUI Offense Up to five years monitored probation
One prior DUI Offense Ignition interlock for one year (if no previous interlock)
One prior DUI Offense Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to two years)
One prior DUI Offense Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to five years

One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years and breath test .15% or higher or refusal to take breath test.

One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years 45 days in jail minimum, one year maximum, PLUS 90 days Electronic Home Detention
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years $1,503 total minimum, up to $5,000 fine
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years 900 day license revocation
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Driving and knowledge exam
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years SR-22 Insurance
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Probationary license for 5 years
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Up to five years monitored probation
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Ignition interlock not less than one year (if no previous interlock)
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to two years)
One prior DUI Offense in the last 7 years Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to five years

Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Two Prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years and breathe test under .15% or no breath test but not a refusal.

Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years 90 days in jail minimum, 1 year maximum, PLUS 120 days Electronic Home Detention
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years $1,928 total minimum, up to $5,000 fine
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Three year license revocation
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Driving and knowledge exams
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years SR-22 Insurance
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Probationary license for 5 years after reinstatement
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Up to five years monitored probation
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Ignition interlock for 1 year if no previous interlock, 5 years if a previous interlock, 10 years if two previous interlocks
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to two years)
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to five years

Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Two Prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years and breath test .15% or higher or refusal to take breath test.

Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years 120 days in jail minimum, 1 year maximum, 150 days Electronic Home Detention
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years $2,778 total minimum, up to $5,000 fine
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Four year license revocation
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Driving and knowledge exams
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years SR-22 Insurance
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Probationary license for 5 years
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Up to 5 years monitored probation
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Ignition interlock not less than 1 year if no previous interlock, 5 years if a previous interlock; 10 years if two previous interlocks
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court (up to 2 years)
Two prior DUI Offenses in the last 7 years Probation monitoring (and fees) for up to 5 years
</div>

You fall into the first category, so it looks like you'll have a fine of at least $823, but that stands possibly to be a bit higher as you were on the upper limit of your category so I would expect it to be around the minimum of the next limit, so around $1000.

 

I got a DUI about 8 months ago actually. I am under 21 so I received a 1 year suspension on my license as well as 3 years informal probation. My fines totalled to 1600, had to pay 600 to the police department for my arrest. I also had to go through a drunk driving class, which also cost another 550. This was all after paying 5k for a lawyer.

I was arrested after parking my car in my aparment parking lot and was walking home. Because I had my keys on me and I was still in the lot, they were allowed to give me a DUI. I did get away with no community service, but the 1yr suspension is killing me cause I'm under 21. But in the end, it was a lesson learned.

 

http://www.washington-dui.com/parts/police.html

This page looks really really helpful as alot of the points occurred.

 

So, I got my DUI reduced to Reckless Driving, i'm pretty sure it's because they didn't have enough proof i was driving and whatnot. Because I was obviously above the limit. So they waved the jailtime and said I have to pay $250 plus court fees which adds up to $592 and I have to go to a DUI Victims Panel meeting twice to hear from people who were effected by DUIs aka a guilt trip meeting. And I have to get a drug/alcohol evaluation at a clinic and i'm sure that will cost alot. But all in all it's better than getting a DUI.

 

You're under 21, your alcohol level was .14, and you were driving? You deserve all that's coming at you, if not more.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Marbire Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You're under 21, your alcohol level was .14, and you were driving? You deserve all that's coming at you, if not more.</div>

Well I only got reckless driving so OwNt!! LOL!! brb im gonna chug some 151 and drive off somewhere.

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
Shard, you're really fortunate the cop didn't wait for you to drive off and then nail you. And you're fortunate you didn't get an accident.</div>


Yeah I know, I don't mean to come off as a jackass but I do know the consequences of drunk driving and obviously feel bad about it. I didn't post this thread for criticism on what I did but for advice on how to approach the court and stuff. And now that it's in the books i'll just close the thread.