My court date for my extreme DUI (my bac was .171, apparently) is coming up in 2 weeks and my anxiety is through the roof. I had been doing so good with not drinking and then one day i just went overboard. There was no trigger for it - no negative life impacts, no depression to speak of, nothing- in fact, i was feeling really good that day and motivated to do something. My problem is that when i start drinking, i dont stop. I never remember taking that 3rd or 4th drink. I never remember how i got to Point A or Point B, and i dont remember going broke buying those things i really didn’t even want. I never remember. I know i will have to serve jail time, since i have no car to put an interlock on, and i am beyond terrified. I really screwed up this time. And every time i get a letter from the insurance agency, or an email from my lawyer, my heart sinks and all i want to do is sleep or drink to forget its even going on. I guess the silver lining is that i have no transportation to go buy alcohol, and its 116° outside so i sure as shit aint walking anywhere…
Is it your 1st DUI or do you have more.
The court loves to see defendants being proactive. I suggest starting outpatient and going to AA. It will help your court case and with your drinking issues
If this is a first one dont worry. Get a public defender and they will plea it out. for you to complete a 6 month drug program with probation. Then maybe other classes to get your l’s back. Just chill you cant control the outcome so just live it day to day. The cards will lay into place when its time. And what derek said they love to see proactivity
I had 1 over a year ago in MN, but this is my 1st in AZ.
Ive been going to AA since before my DUI. I got my 30 day chip last tuesday so that felt good.
Awesome. The court will love to see you doing the next right thing
Lucky for you. Some states dont reconize out of state charges. Just disclose the info to your attorney and they will be able to tell ya what your dealing with.
I would try to get into a treatment program now so that you can have documentation in hand by the time of your court date showing that you are in treatment, addressing the problem and taking it seriously. In some states in-patient treatment may count in lieu of jail time. In my experience, participation in a treatment program goes a lot farther than AA when it comes to the courts. Technically, you are a recidivist because of the prior DUI which usually means you may be/ will be subject to sentencing enhancements (though many states treat first DUI’s/ DWI’s as infractions rather than convictions. You’ll want to clarify that with your lawyer). Because the prior is out of state the DA may not be aware of it, though usually they are (that’s for them to figure out, not for you to volunteer. Tell your attorney but not the police or DA.). I would talk to your lawyer and try to get into treatment asap.
@Englishd and @Donnie_Spiering are right in the proactive point of view. AZ doesn’t like extreme duis at all. My buddy got an extreme when the cops woke him up in a parking lot sleeping with the car running. He never served time but the fines are hefty as hell.
Keep being proactive so you have a leg to stand on when the time comes.
.17 is an extreme DUI? When I went to the Dr. I had a nextday BAL of .2 then again I don’t weigh much…
I’m sure the court will take into account you’ve been proactive. I wish you luck. Stay strong!
.08 is the threshold for drunk here. .15 is considered extreme.