i just got outta the can. i was lost and fumbling with my GPS, which was more of a contributing factor to the situation, than the alcohol. i only had a couple of beers, and definitely wasnt trashed, but of course had enough in me to constitute drunkenness in the eyes of the law.

is there any way to stop this from ruining my life?

also, i've never been arrested for anything before.

get a lawyer....

should have denied the breathalyzer, waited until you got to the station to be blood tested.... best case scenario your below the limit by the time they do that, worst case you end up locked up anyways like you already did...

i'm gonna guess your underage and even a listerine strip woulda fucked you over..

no, i'm 22.

no, i'm 22.

how much do you weigh?

im a pretty small guy but i am pretty sure just a couple of beers wouldnt have me at .08...

to be honest, i don't really have any sympathy for anyone who gets a DUI.

i have driven drunk before, and it was the dumbest thing i think i've ever done. i was really mad at myself when i woke up the next day. why put yourself and others in danger?

chances are it won't ruin your life, especially since you are of age and it was your first time being hauled off to the clink.

no, i'm 22.

and you need a GPS to get around? elaborate on your situation a bit. i mean did you leave a bar? did you submit to the test? do you have a lawyer? could you afford a lawyer? was there an open container? or alcohol in the car?

A DUI isn't the end of the world - especially if you weren't in an accident or something.

22 years ago I was arrested for DUI I wasn't even in my car. I was busted walking about 2 blocks from where I left my [wrecked] car. Granted back then the legal limit wasn't .08, but .1 blew a .28, so I was screwed no matter how you looked at it.

I know the laws all over have toughened up since when I got arrested, but not that much I don't think.

Judges still have a lot of discretion in how they sentance people. In my case, the DA wanted to make an example of me since I was so far above the legal limit and I had destroyed city property [I knocked over a defenseless pedestriant 'Walk' button pole]. The law required that I do three days in county. But the judge saw that I had a job, was enrolled in school [which I did to make it look good for court and itr sure did] and so he gave me close to 1,000 hours of community service instead.

That worked out well because I did my time working at the student center at the community college I was attending. So I did my time between classes. All in all it worked out rather well for me. That work I did turned into a job when my service was over.

Also, since I hung out in the stdent center, I ended up joining student government. There I met some people I know to this day. Most notably was my future wife and [after remeeting 20 years later] an ex GF who is still one of my closest friends.

But going back to school I got serious, graduated with straight A's and was accepted - and attended - UC Berkeley. Moving up to Northern Cali was one of the best things I've done in m life. And UC Berkeley obviously had no trouble with my DUI conviction. Nor did the issue ever come up in any job interview.

I have no sympathy for drunk drivers. Burn in hell.

Now now, you know what Jesus said:


"Let he who is without aim throw the first stone."

Or something like that...

Now now, you know what Jesus said:


"Let he who is without aim throw the first stone."

Or something like that...

*drops the top on the XLR-V on dubs*

I got fucked with a dui at 18. (21 now) i did 40 hours of community service, 24 hours jail, 1 year of probation, DUI School and spent around 3-4k in fees.

The worst that I can imagine happening with a DUI, is that if you're in or planning to join the US military, or getting a government job, it can ruin your military plans/career. DUI's are a common reason why people are turned down for, or loose, their security clearance.

However, I do know a person, who does serve in the military, and received a DUI several months ago. Through some twisted form of luck, this person managed to get the charges dropped. Apparently, when this person went to court and contested it, the police officer who pulled them over had moved to another state by the time of the trial, and was not present at the hearing.

Around here most first time offenders wind up with something like 5 days in jail, a year of probation, and a small fine.

Fuck all this noise about "omg get a lawyer" for your first DUI offense. Yeah, if you're rich maybe and wipe your ass with your money; otherwise just man up and take the shit. Worst part about the shit is the probation and even that isn't a big deal (contrary to the beliefs of 90% of BLTC).