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DUI - Ashamed and Scared

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Started 1 year ago by nancyf
Latest reply from hugh59

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nancyf

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I got my first (and will be only) dui (ovi) after leaving Surly Girl this evening. The officer said that they were cracking down in the Short North. I realize it was dumb and I should have taken a cab or stayed at home. I am very worried about what this will mean in the long run. Are there any people who have gone through this in Columbus who can explain the process? Should I just plead guilty (which I am) and ask for mercy for my dumb decision? I am thinking about getting a teaching certificate, will this mess this up?

this was a wake up call

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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General advice, from someone who's never had a DUI/OVI: It sounds like you're not currently detained or in need of bail. But you're in no state to worry about the charges, or make any commitments right now. If you're too drunk to drive, you're too drunk to make decisions concerning criminal charges.

Have some water, try to sleep. Relax. This is not a death sentence. The world isn't ending.

!!!DO NOT!!! declare your innocence or guilt anywhere else on the internet, especially anywhere that's linked to your real name. It won't alleviate your conscience, and you could end up really screwing yourself over in a non-obvious way.

In the morning, research area lawyers that have case experience with DUI. Write down the facts as best you remember them, then fold up that sheet of paper and don't look at it again on Sunday. Again, do not panic. You have time to make plans and think logically.

On Monday morning, take out that fact-sheet and begin making phone calls. Take notes during any conversations. Make sure you're protected by attorney-client privilege before relating the facts to the attorney. Tell him/her what happened, ask what they estimate the costs to you will be if you retain them as counsel, and any other questions you need to ask in order to feel you have a complete understanding of the situation. The law is a lot more complicated than you may be thinking, and it's important to know where you stand before you start making concrete plans.

Don't worry about the teaching certificate right now. In fact, don't worry in general. Be cool, be calm, and think damage control. The worst thing you can do is panic. (By the way: Don't worry if it's hard to take this advice--everyone gets shaken up by brushes with the law. You're paying your lawyer to give you calm, rational advice.)

I'm glad nobody got hurt and (it sounds like) you didn't even cause any damage to anyone else's property. Those are big things. Getting fined or even losing your license are small things compared to that.

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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also don't trust anyone's advice on the internet (including me), only accept legal advice from the lawyer that's representing you.

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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Wow. So the cops came into Surly Girl and gave you a DUI? That's fucked up.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Uh, no.

nancyf wrote >>
I got my first (and will be only) dui (ovi) after leaving Surly Girl this evening.

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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The title of her thread says she got her DUI at Surly Girl. Which is it?

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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You're not being clever.

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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Why say you got a DUI at Surly Girl if it didn't happen at Surly Girl? Is it the bar's fault? Hey, nancyF, you awake?

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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The topic creator never suggested that it was the bar's fault. She simply described where the incident took place and explained that the police were cracking down in the area. Why be a smartass?

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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CycleJackson wrote >>
Why say you got a DUI at Surly Girl if it didn't happen at Surly Girl?

Careful forensic analysis of the original post indicates that the poster may have been intoxicated when she created this thread.

But it's a good thing you're around to... do... whatever.

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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Got it, so the cops are zeroing in on Surly Girl patrons. Good to know. Thanks for the PSA.

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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Are you being sarcastic? It's kind of hard to tell because there's no sane explanation for anything you've posted in this thread

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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I'm scared and ashamed! Clearly it's not safe to go to Surly Girl anymore. You get DUIs there!

Posted 1 year ago #
nexttuesday

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I agree with JimL. If you have any friends or acquaintances who have successfully won a DUI case, get an attorney recommendation from them. Otherwise, just research criminal defense attorneys in the area.

I am not sure what kind of background check is done on applicants for teaching certificates. Once you find an attorney, he or she can give you advice for what action to take based on that goal.

But for now, go to bed. Don't make any decisions while you are still drunk.

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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CycleJackson, I get the feeling you're going to regret these posts when you sober up.

Posted 1 year ago #
achoo

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Beerfests, Happy Hours, getting wasted...this wonderful country celebrates what you are now ironically being punished for. You did not do anything societally-objectionable, you just happened to get unfortunately chosen out of the hordes of other drinkers.

DO NOT plead guilty in court. Your feelings of guilt are based on shame and the urge to punish yourself immediately. These feelings will pass so don't sweat it too much. I know, easier said than done.

Look at the things in your favor. You didn't create any property or criminal damages, which is your saving grace, you're young and college-educated. Think about the context of your DUI (which was probably barely over the legal limit) and another more reckless person's DUI who wound up killing someone. The system will look favorably on this.

REMEMBER the law wants to keep habitually-offending, reckless, tattooed-neck, sociopaths off the streets NOT penalize naive, college-educated, and ambitious young women who want to contribute to society.

Get a lawyer who specializes in DUIs and let him do the talkin'.

You also want to get the charge dismissed, reduced or amended because would you hire a schoolteacher who had a DUI over the (I'm guessin') vast majority who don't and are future stepford wives?

Everyone makes mistakes. Someday you will find strength from this situation. But for now try to be calm and keep your perspective. Good Luck.

Posted 1 year ago #
CycleJackson
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A two minute Internet search can tell you exactly who was charged with DUI in the Short North last night. So much for an anonymity.

I'm guessing the OP will be regretting her drunk post more than anyone in the peanut gallery. Oh, and probably Surly Girl will regret the OP's post too since the OP indicated they're giving out DUIs in her thread title.

OP, contact lawyer Blaise Baker. He's a criminal attorney and specializes in this stuff. You'll be fine.

Posted 1 year ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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Here is how I would handle it, as someone with some experience in this area.

1. Go to your court date by yourself. You will have a chance to speak to the prosecutor at his table before you go in front of the judge and he will discuss what will happen. If he will allow you to plead guilty and get the following sentence, take it:

180 days with 177 suspended, and the option to serve the 3 remaining days in an alcohol treatment program.

A fine of 500.00 or less (and they will give you a ton of time to pay it).

1 year non-reporting probation.

Work privileges for driving during your mandatory suspension.

Here's the thing, this is pretty much what everyone gets on their first DUI...lawyer or not. If they aren't offering that, you can choose to get a continuance while you seek representation instead, and in that case send me a private message here and I'll give you a very strong and affordable referral.

I'm assuming you blew, did street sobriety, and probably even confessed to drinking throughout the evening, so your defense is pretty limited...therefore, this is the best strategy to minimize your cost and its the same one I used, btw.

IF you want to try and beat it, expect a HUGE legal expense, as the process will involve calling into question the voracity of the testing equipment, etc. By HUGE, I mean potentially 5 figures, certainly well into 2.

p.s. Depending on what you actually did last night though, btw, you could have the possibility of breaking it down to reckless operation in a plea...but it all depends on how drunk you were, what you were also cited for, what you confessed to/tests you took/etc. and how much you pay a lawyer.

Posted 1 year ago #
KingLincolnUrbanEnthusiast

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Better get ready to shell out $3000 dollars at a minimum and your insurance rates will triple - whatever happened to back yard parties like in the old days where people could get smashed and fall asleep in lawn chairs - feel bad for you but wouldn't broadcast it on Facebook b/c you will have a hard time landing that teaching job in out years!

Posted 1 year ago #
bman
New Albany
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Core_Models wrote >>
Here is how I would handle it, as someone with some experience in this area.
1. Go to your court date by yourself. You will have a chance to speak to the prosecutor at his table before you go in front of the judge and he will discuss what will happen. If he will allow you to plead guilty and get the following sentence, take it:
180 days with 177 suspended, and the option to serve the 3 remaining days in an alcohol treatment program.
A fine of 500.00 or less (and they will give you a ton of time to pay it).
1 year non-reporting probation.
Work privileges for driving during your mandatory suspension.
Here's the thing, this is pretty much what everyone gets on their first DUI...lawyer or not. If they aren't offering that, you can choose to get a continuance while you seek representation instead, and in that case send me a private message here and I'll give you a very strong and affordable referral.
I'm assuming you blew, did street sobriety, and probably even confessed to drinking throughout the evening, so your defense is pretty limited...therefore, this is the best strategy to minimize your cost and its the same one I used, btw.
IF you want to try and beat it, expect a HUGE legal expense, as the process will involve calling into question the voracity of the testing equipment, etc. By HUGE, I mean potentially 5 figures, certainly well into 2.
p.s. Depending on what you actually did last night though, btw, you could have the possibility of breaking it down to reckless operation in a plea...but it all depends on how drunk you were, what you were also cited for, what you confessed to/tests you took/etc. and how much you pay a lawyer.

I agree 100% with Core. I had a DUI years ago and did exactly the same as Core. The prosecutor in the county where it happened was a friend of my grandfather and he suggested to plead no contest and take my punishment. I did the 3 day alcohol class in lieu of jail and had fun at it. Your life is not going to end because of a dui, not even your possible teaching career. Everyone knows these things happen, the turds on here are trying to be assholes and scare you.

As Core said, you are going to get the same treatment trying to fight it or not ... go take your medicine on your first offense. Some companies when you apply don't even ask about traffic citations so this is NOT going to haunt you.

As Jim said, take a breath ... you are going to be fine.

I got exactly the same punishment as Core. The worst part was the license suspension.

Posted 1 year ago #