Re: Getting Pulled Over Intoxicated
About 5 years ago I got pulled over driving home from some guys house and I was definitely over the limit. I got the standard tests and I obviously failed. I remember thinking at the time that if I refused the breathalyzer it was a mandatory 6 month suspension. I live in Illinois btw. Of course I was not in good shape to make decisions but I was commuting an hour to college and couldn't take a 6 month suspension.
Sort of irrelevant bitching about cops story: When I got pulled over my stone cold sober friend was with me and my brother. The cop asked me if I wanted one of them to take my car if they were sober and I said yes, either one of them. My brother was over the limit but my friend was sober but the cop had the car towed anyway and said that I only gave permission to let my brother drive. $75 towing fee and had to wait 2 days to get it and it was unlocked with my checkbook inside. There was just no reason for the guy to screw me like that. Cops probably get a kickback from the tow company.
Anyway, I took other people's advice and hired a lawyer. I got a 90 day suspension and a 1 year probation. Basically as long as I had a clean record for the probation period I didn't get a DUI conviction. The lawyer told me I could either try to fight and risk a conviction or take the probation and get my act together (which I did). It worked out well for me as I get regular insurance rates and it basically is like it didn't happen except if I did it again I would be seriously screwed. I really don't know if the lawyer was necessary though. A friend of mine had the same deal and didn't hire a lawyer but the prosecutor was a high school buddy so who knows. Whole deal cost about 2 grand, I don't recommend it. And the lawyer didn't get the fines reduced although they did drop the failure to yield ticket.
Don't drink and drive but if you do don't speed or go through yellow lights or smash mailboxes or anything.
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