Shit I fucked up terribly my friends

[QuasiStoned]

I'm no stranger to getting arrested. I got a DUI driving stoned when I was 17. then I got nailed with simple posession of reefer. Things remained tumultous during this time but I kept my nose out of trouble... up until yesterday.

My dad was nce enough to spend hundereds of dollars getting my car back on the road (when I crashed it whilst passing out on 1,4 BDO and phenazepam. 2 days later I total it again and this time I'm getting charged. I had the phenazepam in my system, and some vicodion that I didn't bother telling the cops about. I am scared SHITLESS!! I tried (half ass) to slit my wrists lasts night, all I have are 3 scars pink scars now.

Having this as my 2nd DUI, I expect that I will have to do jail time. The concept is as foreign to me as visiting mars. I'm teriffied of the outcome of this, do employers take this shit seriously (Unless you are a truck driver or something, in which case it is suicidal to ones career choice).

I'm worried that my current job will fire me if I have to do jail time. I'm also woried what my chances are of getting hired again in the future. I'm from
pa by the way.

Any information you can send this way would be much appreciated. I just need to calm the fuck down

*Edit*
Oh my god, I must made another horrid discovery. I had a box of poppy pods and a grinder in the trunk of the car they towed. I'm not sure if in my benzo'd haze I tried to pitch the blender and box but I don't recall doing so. There was only a film of power in the coffee grinder and the pods that remained were only the stump of the pods. Maybe they will drop those charges (if they do try to charge me with them). they've got enough noose to hang me from the moon with the DUI. I don't recall them asking me any questions about the poppy pods so I dunno.

I thought very seriously about killing myself but decided it would be pointless without knowing what the police are planning on charging me with. God what a mess this is turning out to be. If I see no other way, I'll buy a gun and go out relatively painlessly. I don't care what's on the other side, I feel like this part of my life has been screwed up so badly there is no turning back.

 

[Help me please]

Just get the best attorney you can.

 

[Armandfist]

Don't do anything (else) rash. It's would be quite the shit if you injured yourself intentionally and later the case was thrown out because of some technicality.

I agree, a good attorney is good.

Sometimes if you do the "stuff" that the court would normally order you to do, it makes you look good. Like getting a drug eval, enrolling in drug treatment, attending NA meetings...all that. Make sure you do your job and if possible, try everything you can to demonstrate to the court that you are contrite, are purposefully and seriously intent in changing, and need to stay in the community in order to keep participating in them. You might also offer to do weekend jail time as an alternative to any jail sentence a court might consider.

Do all that you can do to involve yourself in community treatment--even going into inpatient drug treatment--and that might give you some cred with the judge.

Best of luck.

 

[volp]

There are lawyers that specialize in dui, find one (my brother is actually one, but in another state). They will most likely suggest you do any treatment programs you might need, etc. Anything to curry favor with the court. LISTEN to your lawyer's advice.

Good luck, and try to stay calm. But that's easier said than done.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I'm not a street wise person or any sort of a tough guy and I did OK w/ 30 days in jail once. As far as:

Having this as my 2nd DUI, I expect that I will have to do jail time.

Are you saying that because it is what is required by statute? If so what is the required minimum sentence. In jails in most metropolitan areas in the US, they give considerable good time or other adjustments that make your actual time in jail less than your actual sentence.

If jail occurs mind your own business and don't get drawn into anything w/ other inmates. Most people will also just be looking to get the whole thing behind them, but the way some people will be passing the time will be by fucking with people. Non-reactive, showing neither interest or disdain for going-ons is the ideal way to be. Reading and contemplation kept me in a good an uninvolved disposition within jail which pretty much kept people uninterested in me. People who pass the time by fucking with people look for people who are going to play into the drama.

I am talking about jail because until everything is adjudicated and over your anxiety will be focused on the worst case scenario and I'd like to tell you the worst case scenario is far less than ideal but perfectly livable. An attorney will give you some idea about the range of possible outcomes and what she considers a likely outcome.

This event and its consequences are going to be expensive and unpleasant, but in the scope of things perfectly livable. IThe legal consequences have gotten harsher and harsher over time because so many people can be slow to get the message about driving impaired being dangerous and unacceptable.

 

[ArtVandalay]

That sucks Quasi! My friend just got popped for DUI in CA, first offense.

Try not to get overwhelmed with anxiety man- easier said then done I know- I'd be freaking out. But trying to kill yourself is not the answer. My ex wife was a cutter/bi-polar, so I've dealt with attempted suicide many times. It's ugly. Think about your family, friends, your future. This is just a bump in the road. Keep your head up, good luck Quasi!

 

[Soap MacTavish]

You will probably only have to do 30 days. A guy that works here had to do it and they let him come back. He's good at what he does and has been very little trouble, plus they have invested a lot in training him anyway so they let it go with the caveat that if it happens again he's done. If you have a good relationship with your employer you should make it, you could always claim that you have to go to rehab for alcohol and then they can't legally fire you...I think..

 

[QuasiStoned]

*deep breaths *deip break*

Okay I'm to break this all down logically. All money that I can pinch away needs to be saved towards hghering a laywer. I had toodo that before and I think that they could keep pushing off the fees until I get the money up. I'm almost completely broke from a recently kicked drug habit. ]

Are you saying that because it is what is required by statute?

As I understand it (in Pennsylvania), it largely depends upon how drunk you were, in which case they have BAC charts to go by. With a benzo (ad probably opiates), well I'm not so sure to so to say how they decide the severity.

So if I really take this one step at a time I can get through this. Butafterwards. I've got to seriouslly restructure my life if i'm ever going to do something.

 

[panic in paradise]

how long ago was the previous charge?

my situation was very similar, got a dui, my dad decided he would invest in my "one of a kind" 82 jeep with 120k miles on it... i smashed it while on a pr bond with a .28 bac.
one of the charges is running deferred, i had to prove i had an alcohol problem, attend rehab, and other hoops for the .28 to be few dropped from my record, the other sticks, for seven years.
the anxiety, tension, and anticipation is intense waiting to hear something/anything...! it does end eventually, but staying out of this situation is another.

i would start listing your fears, the organize them by how rational they are, which ones you can control, what is listed that you can control, and how you can rationalize/focus on those as priorities.

since this is your second offense, treatment will be on the table, rather then jail, which may be 90 days.
depending on the severity of your a addiction, and knowledge you have will determine the type of treatment received.

it will take me 63 years or so before my fine is paid off -lol- but the end quicker you can pay the fine, knock our na/aa, and excell in treatment, take it upon yourself to see a therapist, and knock out community service the sooner you maybe be let off, our placed on unsupervised probation.

dont let the anticipation get to you, you did this, now its time to pay the piper, and reward yourself for doing this methodically and from the heart to avoid thia our much worse later.
i believe most states consider a third dui a felony.
so just leave the drugs and vehicles alone, so much worse could of happened, you are infect lucky, your dad is disappointed im sure, but obviously cares for you and is thankful to still have his son, and no one elses child was harmed either.

iam so thankful in this trouble now; as i said, i blew a .28, after a couple hours, i wrecked at 5 pm, with 24 6.5% pints, i would of probably tried to guzzle them all yes that night... .3 is the fatal zone, i must of been .33 at the scene...

try hard, save yourself, makes amends where needed, and wait for this all to eventually pass, time will start flying...

 

[QuasiStoned]

The DUI charge was when I was 17, I'm 22 now. I had a possession of marijuana somewhere in the middle of that too

*edit*technically I'm not addicted to anything right now. It was more or less a benz experiement that went terribly wrong.

 

[panic in paradise]

^^
true.

none of us legally council you in the law, but some of us have been rung out or, and remained clever enough to give you good questions for your attorney, or suggestions to consider...

 

[User Name Here]

All you can do now is get a good lawyer and you should be fine. I know plenty of people who were able to get by a second DUI with nothing more than community service, fines, and probation. I'm kind of anal about people with multiple DUIs but fortunately enough for you the government doesn't seem to be in most places/situations.

Even IF you serve jail time, you probably won't go to trial for a good year... Just work at your job until then and focus on that for now. Good luck.

 

[flat line]

the most they will give you is a yr and a day...you wont even get that... but a year and a day is not that bad...goes by fast after the 1st 3 months...thye will prob give u a treatment center or something...calm down jut dont fuk up more...

 

[bagochina]

I wouldn't even worry about jail time, it is not going to happen. How did they know you were under the influence of benzos/opiates? Did you have to go to the hospital? Never blow or give blood if you do you are just setting yourself up for a conviction. DUI's are one of the easiest cases to beat if you play your cards right. Get a local attorney that specializes in DUI's. I am pretty sure a DUI will cost a couple thousand.

peace.
seedless

 

[bagochina]

I just saw on the new some girl [underage] got convicted of a DUI [killed someone in the accident] just got 2 years probation and drug treatment.

peace.
seedless

 

[QuasiStoned]

I did admit to being on phenazepam, and I'm pretty sure that there was some hydrocodone in my system too (I don't think I mentioned that).

They could tell I was fucked up and told me I was going to the hospital even if I hadn't take anything because they were concerned I had a concussion.

thanks guys you've been helpful and please keep throwing any advice that you can my way.

*edit*
I was feeling calmer until I checked my car and saw the box of poppies missing and the grinder. I don't know if I got rid of it (benzo memory) or if the police took it. If they did, that's another charge to worry about. Jesus im fuckt

 

[QuasiStoned]

I wonder if doing a small stint in jail could improve someone? Or does it mean that anyone who is already finding it difficult to get a good job (or go to high school) and do something with their life is now forced to enter on every job application that I had an "opium abuse" problem and drove on drugs. Are companies picky enough that you're pretty much fucked at this point. This is really disconcerting to think.

If I didn't have a little bit of JWH and will probably order a gram or is the only thing keepeing me somewhat sane right now. Fucking government, if they allowed legal use of these things I wouldn't have even thought of driving on them because I'd have somewhere safe, like home!

 

[SilverFeniks]

This is serious, but not life-ending, so calm down man

I am curious (and this will definately be important to you), how was your first one (as a juvenile) adjudicated? Was it through Juvenile Court, or regular court? If the latter, did you do a Diversion/Deferred Sentence/Conditional Discharge (all different terms for the same thing) and have the charge dismissed eventually?

I don't know PA law, but while a 2nd DUI is obviously worse than the 1st time around, it is still incredibly common. generally it would only affect jobs that examine your driving record, because DUIs are the most common criminal offense anywhere in the country. Everyone knows someone who has had one .. hell, I know multiple Judges who have gotten DUIs.
The good thing about them being so common is that the sentence (if convicted) is almost always stipulated, that is to say, uniform, the same for everyone. So a basic review of your state's law should give you a pretty clear picture of the standard consequences (don't worry about the 'maximum', ie one year in jail / massive fine).

Depending what happened with your Juvenile case, it might definately be a good idea to hire an attorney if you can afford one (rather than accept Public Defender).
I have seen many cases where a private attorney successfully argued for Diversion-eligibility on someone who otherwise was ineligible (due to previous convictions or other general prohibitions); public defenders wouldn't have even bothered trying for their clients. Since your first case was when you were a minor, you might still be able to pursue this as an option, which, unless you're trying to beat the case entirely, is going to be your best possible result.

Here is the (supposed) PA code on DUI charges, though it does not mention sentences:
http://www.1800duilaws.com/pennsylvania_vehicle_codes/pa_vehicle_codes_3802.asp

This page purports to list the different sentences, depending on # of convictions, BAC, etc.
Bad news is it lists DUI-CS as the most serious

http://www.padui.org/pdf/2009_DUI_LAW_GRADING_ SENTENCING_GUIDE.pdf


Since your state's law seems similar to what I see daily, and what a good friend of mine is going through, I'll quickly share his story.

He got a DUII a few years ago. his first, so he did the Diversion (consists of a <$500 fine, attending Victim's Impact Panel (one-time MADD-type thing), and Alcohol&Drug assessment/treatment. Completed successfully; no jail time or license suspension (from the court, just the initial DMV suspension for the arrest, looks like PA does that too). Charge is officially dismissed after the year.

A year or two later, he gets another DUII (he was/is a pretty hardcore alcy. did not make a good roommate).
Standard again, seems to me like ~15% of people who get 1 get at least a 2nd.
His sentence this time was $1500 fine, 1-year license suspension (DMV requires an intoxilyzer once you get your license back); the same classes and treatment, and this time, either 2 days in Jail or 80 hours Community Service (oregon lets you choose). Also "60 days suspended execution" jail sentence; this is what hangs over your head if you don't comply with every aspect of the sentence over the 1.5 years of Probation in Oregon.
I see so many people f*ck up and drive suspended, not comply with the treatment, or miss a follow-up court date, which just ruins everything and results in jail time. No bueno. Gotta walk the line if you get convicted but want to stay out of jail.
He managed to complete everything; he's off probation this month, except he still owes some of his fines, so he might get extended or possibly violated (though probably not, since he at least did everything else).

from there it gets worse ... 3rd DUII = jail time for sure, more fines, 3-year suspension.
4 within 10 years here gets a Felony I think; 4-5 DUIIs in your life and your license is revoked for eternity.

my local newspaper prepared the most in-depth, interactive site/feature they have ever done (or even come close to, they never do this kind of thing) on felony DUIs

So again, be cool, this is pretty standard, but you have to promise yourself to never drive impaired again.
I've driven drunk/high literally hundreds of times starting at age 17, across 3 states. Sometimes just over the limit but cool to drive; other times so wasted I got lost driving home. By some miracle I never wrecked or got pulled over once. Only when I learned the consequences did I finally take it seriously.
Since then I've had two coworkers whose kids got into wrecks when drunk.
One got charged with misdemeanor assault + DUII. The other flipped her car with her 3 kids on board, and just got out of prison after several years (no one died).

To everyone here who hasn't gotten popped yet and can drive well enough drunk .. give it up. The cops are gonna roll you one of these days.
Or you'll have bad luck like a wreck I remember here ...
A girl was driving one way on the highway, DUI but not driving dangerously.
A dude who had just stolen a Mustang hopped on the highway headed the other way, lost control, crossed the line, and his the drunk girl. Homie died; she didn't, but got charged with DUI. Bad effing luck.
But alter just a few variables (non-stolen car, no at-fault-accident) and guess who gets the Manslaughter rep? Whoever is dirty.

 

[panic in paradise]

I wonder if doing a small stint in jail could improve someone? Or does it mean that anyone who is already finding it difficult to get a good job (or go to high school) and do something with their life is now forced to enter on every job application that I had an "opium abuse" problem and drove on drugs. Are companies picky enough that you're pretty much fucked at this point. This is really disconcerting to think.

If I didn't have a little bit of JWH and will probably order a gram or is the only thing keepeing me somewhat sane right now. Fucking government, if they allowed legal use of these things I wouldn't have even thought of driving on them because I'd have somewhere safe, like home!

sure some jail time to help, ive spent around 1.5 years broken up, and there is a lot you could accomplish; working out constantly, quiting cigs alcohol w/e, you can have books sent from amazon or where ever, and really immerse your self into subjects, lots of writing, and drawing.

you could do a lot in ninety days, sometimes they may take the offer of; 50% jail time of total probation time. some times, most the time, probation is no good for people, as they are normally revoked and retried with in eight months... i have made the best of my probation, my life is fucking intense, and my po knows it. he respects me because, i respect him, and treat him, speak with him as i would any one else.
we are both sashimiphiles mm.

also, ive been offered $ 65.50 per day in jail, to pay towards the fines; in the 90's.
there are also work release programs, or weekends, doing weekends though you may have to be fully searched every friday night.

 

[NomNomNom]

Sorry to hear that dude. I can't tell you much on the legal side, but on the "my whole life is fucked where do i go from here i'm gonna have no job/license/life" thing, i'd say take a deep breath and do what i'd do: Tell yourself you're gonna get through it no matter what, because you have no choice. No matter what you do, this will eventually pass and you'll resume a life you're somewhat happy with. Might be 3 months from now, could be 3 years, but keep your eye on the prize. If you live to be 75 years old this incident will end up being a blip, don't let the walls close in on ya =-D Like George Harrison said: All Things Must Pass.

*Oh and sorry for not responding to your PM many months ago, my life kind of imploded in a 2 week span and didn't get back to BL until recently