New to SR & with 2nd DUI
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 6
New to SR & with 2nd DUI
Hi All,
I'm fairly new to this, please bare with me. 2013 has been one heck of a year and just a few more months to ring in the new year. I've always had a problem with drinking and the occasional use of drugs. In the beginning of February I was admitted to a behavioral center after attempts of committing suicide. Being there I thought was a wake up call and that I was one of the lucky ones. I was advised to see a psychiatrist and therapist but I never did... In late April I received my 2nd DUI. My first one was in 2009. Luckily, I did not harm others & myself. My arraignment was this Monday & I was arrested on the spot but only kept for a few hours. I have to return to court on the 19th to speak to a public defender. My sobriety date is 6/3/2013, that date is also when I mustered the courage to admit myself as an IOP in rehab, I have also attended AA and NA meetings. I also see a therapist regularly and got back into school. I'm waiting for my psychiatrist appointment next month and I start my 18 month DUI program next week which I signed up before being convicted.
I'm trying to stay positive & be strong for loved ones around me but sometimes it gets really discouraging. I've done everything a 23 year old female can do and I'm just jittery of what the outcome might be Monday.
Does anyone have any knowledge on a 2nd time offender in the state of California and the process of SR22's and IID's?
One day at a time is what's getting me by and some hopeful stories or advice that I can still have life & reach my dreams in SR will be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if I'm all over the place btw!
I'm fairly new to this, please bare with me. 2013 has been one heck of a year and just a few more months to ring in the new year. I've always had a problem with drinking and the occasional use of drugs. In the beginning of February I was admitted to a behavioral center after attempts of committing suicide. Being there I thought was a wake up call and that I was one of the lucky ones. I was advised to see a psychiatrist and therapist but I never did... In late April I received my 2nd DUI. My first one was in 2009. Luckily, I did not harm others & myself. My arraignment was this Monday & I was arrested on the spot but only kept for a few hours. I have to return to court on the 19th to speak to a public defender. My sobriety date is 6/3/2013, that date is also when I mustered the courage to admit myself as an IOP in rehab, I have also attended AA and NA meetings. I also see a therapist regularly and got back into school. I'm waiting for my psychiatrist appointment next month and I start my 18 month DUI program next week which I signed up before being convicted.
I'm trying to stay positive & be strong for loved ones around me but sometimes it gets really discouraging. I've done everything a 23 year old female can do and I'm just jittery of what the outcome might be Monday.
Does anyone have any knowledge on a 2nd time offender in the state of California and the process of SR22's and IID's?
One day at a time is what's getting me by and some hopeful stories or advice that I can still have life & reach my dreams in SR will be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if I'm all over the place btw!
I don't know anything about those laws in CA but wanted to welcome you to a very supportive site. You'll find a lot of hope and inspiration here. 
Every Mother's Worst Nightmare
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Deep in the heart of LaLa land
Posts: 688
Hi Im in CA and the punishments are quite heavy. Were you convicted first time? If so and there's any way you can try and get a specialist DUI lawyer rather than a public defender, I'd do all you can to swing that as jail time is mandatory.
A good lawyer can get reductions depending on your BAC and other mitigating factors - job, sobriety, treatment etc. - and there are also sentencing options such as house arrest and electronic monitoring.
Best of luck.
A good lawyer can get reductions depending on your BAC and other mitigating factors - job, sobriety, treatment etc. - and there are also sentencing options such as house arrest and electronic monitoring.
Best of luck.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
Welcome 
And great work on your sobriety time. I would really try not to think of what the outcome will be on Monday. What is will be and driving yourself mad with anxiety will not change the outcome. Try to stay in today. I know it's hard, I had a DUI last November right before I got sober and that was my sponser's advice to me. I decided to listen to her and it made the whole experience much less stressful. If you have a higher power, turn it over. We are here for you, keep us posted!
And great work on your sobriety time. I would really try not to think of what the outcome will be on Monday. What is will be and driving yourself mad with anxiety will not change the outcome. Try to stay in today. I know it's hard, I had a DUI last November right before I got sober and that was my sponser's advice to me. I decided to listen to her and it made the whole experience much less stressful. If you have a higher power, turn it over. We are here for you, keep us posted!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,410
I agree with Nattythreads. Drop your public defender and get a DUI lawyer right away. California DUI laws are one of the worst to get. Public Defender will only just fill out all the paper work and will not try to help you more than they have too.
I myself almost got a second DUI but drop to a reckless driving. I can understand that you want to get help to stay sober but having all these unanswered questions and law problems that can break you. It would be advise to check out a good DUI lawyer in the county that you got arrested.
Good luck!
I myself almost got a second DUI but drop to a reckless driving. I can understand that you want to get help to stay sober but having all these unanswered questions and law problems that can break you. It would be advise to check out a good DUI lawyer in the county that you got arrested.
Good luck!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 6
Thanks everyone for the welcomes! (:
All that's happened this year I would say 2013 was horrible but since finding sobriety and being on the road to recovery I say 2013 is the best that's happened to me in a while. Getting my second DUI is a God shot to me. If it weren't for those circumstances I would either be continuing killing myself slowly or I would be dead.
I believe it's to late to get a lawyer right now. My first DUI I had a lawyer and it really didn't do anything what so ever. I actually got a worse sentence compared to all the others who faced it on their own and stuck with a PD.
I guess right now I just have to stay focused and positive. I know my higher power has a plan for me and I've done all the footwork.
All of this is in the SB county.
What does trouble my mind a bit is my future though, it seems job opportunities and some of dreams aren't realistic right now. /:
All that's happened this year I would say 2013 was horrible but since finding sobriety and being on the road to recovery I say 2013 is the best that's happened to me in a while. Getting my second DUI is a God shot to me. If it weren't for those circumstances I would either be continuing killing myself slowly or I would be dead.
I believe it's to late to get a lawyer right now. My first DUI I had a lawyer and it really didn't do anything what so ever. I actually got a worse sentence compared to all the others who faced it on their own and stuck with a PD.
I guess right now I just have to stay focused and positive. I know my higher power has a plan for me and I've done all the footwork.
All of this is in the SB county.
What does trouble my mind a bit is my future though, it seems job opportunities and some of dreams aren't realistic right now. /:
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London.
Posts: 54
First of all I wish you all the best with your recovery.
But DUI's do not just happen. You did wrong. Sure give yourself the best chance you can but also I feel that you need to accept that your actions endangered the lives of others. There is no justification for it and perhaps if you have to serve some jail time then so be it.
Now I am as guilty as anybody of this crime and it is really a case of 'there but for the grace of God' but sometimes I feel that we need to truly face up to what we have done and just accept what comes our way. I struggle like hell to do this but in your post all I sense is that you are really feeling sorry for yourself rather than the notion of contrition for what you did.
Massive apologies if this seems harsh and as I have said, I have driven under the influence on numerous occassions but its wrong. As simple as that. And we do need to sometimes face up to the consequences of our actions and just accept what comes our way.
But DUI's do not just happen. You did wrong. Sure give yourself the best chance you can but also I feel that you need to accept that your actions endangered the lives of others. There is no justification for it and perhaps if you have to serve some jail time then so be it.
Now I am as guilty as anybody of this crime and it is really a case of 'there but for the grace of God' but sometimes I feel that we need to truly face up to what we have done and just accept what comes our way. I struggle like hell to do this but in your post all I sense is that you are really feeling sorry for yourself rather than the notion of contrition for what you did.
Massive apologies if this seems harsh and as I have said, I have driven under the influence on numerous occassions but its wrong. As simple as that. And we do need to sometimes face up to the consequences of our actions and just accept what comes our way.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 6
Thanks to everyone. I absolutely take full responsibility of my actions and no apologies needed Cormat!
My first DUI I had the help and guidance of my parents but the second time around I took 500 percent full responsibility. I actually just arrived from home from a friend of mines who is going through some personal discoveries. The talk we had actually opened my eyes quite a bit to myself. I was told just today a person I know was admitted into the hospital from a horrible car wreck. Her brain is telling her heart to stop and she has moments where she believes she's three years old and moments she believes she's married when she's not. I asked how did this come about and of course a response that was her boyfriend and her were more than intoxicated and drove into something. All I could say was, I hoped all of you learned from my decisions and short comings and getting into that car when I damn knew I shouldn't was my choice and look were I am now. I am thankful to my higher power that I did not hurt anyone or myself and looking at the situation that has happened to this person shows you that all kinds of negative consequences can arise from drinking and driving. It has also showed me that everything I blamed or that was negative was always the result of using or drinking. I guess I'm just impatient right now for the outcome and a little scared. Sorry again, guys if I'm all over the place again /: It's that stinkin thinkin I guess!
My first DUI I had the help and guidance of my parents but the second time around I took 500 percent full responsibility. I actually just arrived from home from a friend of mines who is going through some personal discoveries. The talk we had actually opened my eyes quite a bit to myself. I was told just today a person I know was admitted into the hospital from a horrible car wreck. Her brain is telling her heart to stop and she has moments where she believes she's three years old and moments she believes she's married when she's not. I asked how did this come about and of course a response that was her boyfriend and her were more than intoxicated and drove into something. All I could say was, I hoped all of you learned from my decisions and short comings and getting into that car when I damn knew I shouldn't was my choice and look were I am now. I am thankful to my higher power that I did not hurt anyone or myself and looking at the situation that has happened to this person shows you that all kinds of negative consequences can arise from drinking and driving. It has also showed me that everything I blamed or that was negative was always the result of using or drinking. I guess I'm just impatient right now for the outcome and a little scared. Sorry again, guys if I'm all over the place again /: It's that stinkin thinkin I guess!
Every Mother's Worst Nightmare
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Deep in the heart of LaLa land
Posts: 688
Hey Littleunknown
I think it's fantastic that you accept that level of responsibility for your actions. I certainly don't think anyone meant to be harsh at all about your situation.
I would however just spend a little time googling/educating yourself about possible strategies etc. before you meet with PD. You may well end up with someone who will fight your corner a little more than usual. They do tend to know the judges/system etc. "What will be will be" is all very well but I'm sure your HP wouldn't mind you increasing your self-knowledge on possible defence/outcomes etc!
I really will be thinking of you down in LA and keeping fingers and toes crossed. Let us know how you get on.
All strength
NT
I think it's fantastic that you accept that level of responsibility for your actions. I certainly don't think anyone meant to be harsh at all about your situation.
I would however just spend a little time googling/educating yourself about possible strategies etc. before you meet with PD. You may well end up with someone who will fight your corner a little more than usual. They do tend to know the judges/system etc. "What will be will be" is all very well but I'm sure your HP wouldn't mind you increasing your self-knowledge on possible defence/outcomes etc!
I really will be thinking of you down in LA and keeping fingers and toes crossed. Let us know how you get on.
All strength
NT
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,550
Littleunknown:
Good luck with your courtroom appearance. You might tell the judge what you've been telling us about realizing that you did something wrong and you might also say that you've been helped by the discussion on this website, SR. The important thing right now is not avoiding jail but achieving sobriety. If the judge thinks you need jail to do that then that's what's going to happen. Jail might give you a chance to get to know others who have had problems like yours, others who want to recover just like you do.
As to the future, there are always lot of opportunities for those who kick the habit. But few for those who don't. You can do this. Others have. Talk to them on this website. They can help you. This could be the beginning of a whole new life. I hope so. Every good wish.
W.
Good luck with your courtroom appearance. You might tell the judge what you've been telling us about realizing that you did something wrong and you might also say that you've been helped by the discussion on this website, SR. The important thing right now is not avoiding jail but achieving sobriety. If the judge thinks you need jail to do that then that's what's going to happen. Jail might give you a chance to get to know others who have had problems like yours, others who want to recover just like you do.
As to the future, there are always lot of opportunities for those who kick the habit. But few for those who don't. You can do this. Others have. Talk to them on this website. They can help you. This could be the beginning of a whole new life. I hope so. Every good wish.
W.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 705
I assume you have a court card and are getting it signed at every meeting you go to. You should think about moving into a sober living house for six months. A judge would look with favor on that, not to mention its a good place to go in early sobriety. I stayed in a women only house, and I thought it was crucial to my recovery. I'm not sure what the laws are currently, but as a fellow CA resident, our jails and prisons are stuffed to the breaking point with violent criminals. I don't believe a second dui will do get you jail time, but they will almost certainly suspend your license.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 6
Hi all,
As an update. I spend all day at the court house yesterday. I was able to avoid 30 days of jail time. I'm able to sign up for work release down in Glen Helen and partially pay for the almost 2,000$ fine by doing so for 27 days I believe. 18 month DUI program and finish 1 year of intensive outpatient. I'm very grateful of the outcome and hopefully I will be able to put this in the past. Now it's just the matters of the DMV...
Thank you everyone for the information and well wishes of sobriety. (:
As an update. I spend all day at the court house yesterday. I was able to avoid 30 days of jail time. I'm able to sign up for work release down in Glen Helen and partially pay for the almost 2,000$ fine by doing so for 27 days I believe. 18 month DUI program and finish 1 year of intensive outpatient. I'm very grateful of the outcome and hopefully I will be able to put this in the past. Now it's just the matters of the DMV...
Thank you everyone for the information and well wishes of sobriety. (:
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
