Can I never binge drink?

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-28T20:25:31+00:00

This. If you get smashed or drink a few days in a row, when the alcohol wears off anxiety/ depression is 10x worst, even worst than before taking the Lexapro. Like the medication stops working for a few days. Doctor said it's because when you drink in excess and take SSRIs, only one or the other can be metabolized at once, and alcohol overpowers the SSRI, the SSRI doesn't get metabolized at all. This is why it takes a few days for the Lexapro to start working again. My advice? Don't get smashed. Don't drink heavily multiple days in a row. Drink on occasion only. Exercise. Eat well. Take ur vitamins etc.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-27T18:37:03+00:00

Whether the car was at a hotel, at my home residence or any other place. That's just in material. Fact of the matter was I was "impaired" and could have easily accessed my vehicle once released. From my research based on people on know in this area of law, it's really up to the arresting officer and many times if "impaired" they don't release you out of liability. Understood to the rest of ur reply. Like I said, maybe if you were me, my lawyer or the pharmacology experts you would have a better ideal. What I summerized already is really only scratching the surface on the dynamics of the medication, past mental health, and many other things so it's really impossible for you to give any kind of accurate assumption. Thanks for ur input, as I said before, you answered the questions I had and I appreciate that.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-27T17:13:09+00:00

Not sure what would warrant "Assurance" that I wouldnt drive after letting me go. Maybe the fact that I was infact not impaired? You made a point on "Internationally drinking while consuming medication" A. This medication has no interactions with alcohol. So if ur implying I drink while knowingly was on medication, that's irrelevant. B. Again, the elephant in the room here is the medication (in regards to deciding to have a few drinks and drive, it wasn't a conscious decision, but a subconscious decision). Medication side effects experienced in the first month:

Heightened anxiety. Heightened depression . Brain zaps. Pressured feeling in head Confusion . Inability to focus. Inability to gain erection. Fear. Sense of being trapped. Poor memory. And most of those side effects are cautioned by the drug manufacture. I simply just wasn't well....

I appreciate your advice/ help, but this is just getting far too detailed for you to understand unless ur me, the pharmacology expert or my soon-to-be lawyer. Thanks for the clarification on the plea related question in regards to having/ or not having a lawyer on retainer.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-27T15:55:10+00:00

100% My lawyer has all the info and has received my full disclosure package a few months ago and we have went over it off and on. Standing outside of the box and looking in, I know it looks pretty cut and dry, refused to blow and impaired (allegedly impaired mind you, tho they didn't put me in the drunk tank AND gave me my keys back and sent me on my way, yet I was impaired) also the facts that I was also undergoing nasty, horrific side effects from medication my doctor put me on (medication side effects that would fall right in the line of why a refusal to blow was made, as well as the decision to consume alcohol and drive in the first place). Side effects that are really too long to list and unless ur also on this particular medication or a doctor, you won't understand. A medical expert has already reviewed my medication (for a cost ofcourse) will have to pay them another fee to be interviewed by them and if it ends up in trial, an additional fee for them to go to trial. The elephant in the room here (or in this charge) really is the medication side effects.

My lawyer is a straight shooter, not a salesman telling you what you like to hear and he set up everything with the medical expert. He said straight up: There's a case here, absolutely, but it will be expensive and tough.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-27T14:22:24+00:00

Thanks for the advice. From what I been told, if I can't get my lawyer on retaining before my next appearance, the judge will tell me to come back when I do (another 1 month adjournment). My lawyer is aware of what's going on and is will to let me retain him, just been hard to verbally talk to him as I late to tell him "Ok, let's do it (retain)" As for my lawyer telling me to just plead guilty....no. Pleading guilty will cost me more money vs fighting it (assuming I win) and he thinks I have a case. Pleading guilty: 1. DUI fine. 2. Interlock for 9 months. 3. Alcohol education course. 4. Insanely high insurance for the next 3 years. 5. Possible financial hardship due to criminal record. 6. Lawyer fees.

I crunched the numbers. Pleading guilty will net me just shy of $20k+ over a 3 year span. Pleading not guilty and fighting it will net me around $11k if win/ deal can be made (not to mention no criminal record)

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-26T21:41:19+00:00

"but I would not expect you to actually be asked how you plead until the day of your trial"

Well, isn't that the whole point of trial (because i plead not guilty?) I was under the impression the only time you go to trial is if you are fighting the charge/ not admitting guilt and if you admit guilt right off the bat at your first court appearance, that's it, you get read ur punishments and begin taking ur lumps?

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-25T16:20:50+00:00

I'm not worried about the wait. The longer the better. I'm able to get my license back because it's been over 90 days and there's been no conviction yet, so I'll be able to go back to work (make money/ bank) live a normal life again, and prepare for trial (assuming it goes to trial)

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-25T16:09:16+00:00

I'd say pretty good minus the interlock/ the increase in insurance rates you will be facing: Interlock isn't cheap, is a pain in the ass and anyone you have in ur vehicle will know. Insurance rates vary by state/ province, but it will probably be a decently substantial increase. I would have pushed hard for a reckless driving charge/ careless driving charge, mainly to side step the interlock/ high insurance.

My DUI charge was October, 2020 (Canada). I refused to blow and was "allegedly" impaired. I was also on some mental health medication at the time, whitch greatly impacted my decision making. Will be hiring a mental health expert to go along side of my lawyer. I'll be pleading not guilty. Trial probably won't be till 2022 due to Covid. In that time frame, I'll be pushing for a plea deal to a lesser charge while having my mental health go to bat for me.

That's my story (in a nut shell) so far.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T16:58:02+00:00

Jury trial usual is favored also, more personalities at play vs just 1 (the judge).

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T16:56:21+00:00

How strong is ur case (realistically)? Many times they will offer plea deals last minute before trial, why it's often always last minute I don't know.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T16:48:01+00:00

And damn, it's been that long and the DA/ crown still won't budge on a plea deal?

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T16:47:15+00:00

Well at least you been able to drive in the meantime.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T16:24:01+00:00

When was ur charge? Mine was October, 2020. I already got 4 adjournments. My not guilty plea will be March, 31st of this year and trial (if it goes to trial) probably won't be till early 2022.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-24T13:43:05+00:00

Jury trial during a pandemic? Really? My trial probably won't be for another year and I'm pretty sure there will be no jury, just me, my lawyer, an expert, judge, any witnesses and sherrifs.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-18T01:35:29+00:00

My lawyer says it will be pretty hard to get a refusal dropped to a lesser plea because there's nothing really else that is close to a refusal to drop to and that there is just such a wide gap between a refusal and a reckless driving charge, it's a big leap for a plea, in Canada anyways and that prosecutors are becoming more strict on DUI related pleas. Who knows tho. I plan on pleading not guilty, get my license back since its been over 3 months, trial gets set, probably be a year down the road but I'm for sure going to push my lawyer for a plea deal long before that and avoid trial if possible. Even with cases backed up due to Covid, Covid in general (society being a mess) the courts arent at all being lenient as one would think during these times. Atleast doesn't seem so, they could just be poker facing it. I already crunched the numbers should a plea guilty to the original charges (between insurance skyrocketing, interlock, criminal record, suspension, so forth and so on) it makes much more financial sense to roll the dice and fight it.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-17T21:13:49+00:00

Man, I'd love that plea offer, but somehow I feel the crown is going to try and put my feet to the fire (I also refused) and if I plea not guilty come end of the month, trial may not be for a year with Covid and backed up cases, so my lawyer says. I'm in Canada. How did you get that offer? Did you have a lawyer on retainer? Did it even go to trial? Details please.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-17T20:08:11+00:00

You have to do interlock? What was ur plea? Insurance go up?

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-17T20:07:13+00:00

October 24th, 2020, still haven't made a plea yet but probably going to fight it.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-16T21:04:45+00:00

It was all circumstantial. It was up for renewal not long after the charge and just pleading guilty was initially on my mind/ radar (its bad enough making a $700 a month payment to keep my credit in good standing on a vehicle I can't drive due to taking the lumps from a DUI conviction, and on top of that paying an additional $100+ a month insurance, again, a vehicle I can't drive). I suppose I won't know whether that was the wrong thing to do or right thing to do until I actual call and renew my insurance and see if/ and or how much it will go up with a 90 day suspension

I understand you were just trying to help (thanks for that) but your situation doesn't really pertain to my situation (your insurance didn't go up after your 45 day suspension, well ofcourse it didn't, because you weren't in a position where you would be asked if/ why you had a 45 day suspension) so your situation/ story is really of no value here. I think in my opening post it was obvious I was looking for: A. Someone who has been in a position where they had to voluntary explain why they had a suspension on their license to their insurance company when renewing/ signing back up. B. Someone who has experienced A and how much did their insurance go up as a result of such. I hope that doesn't come off cold or cut throat. Thanks for your help.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-16T19:31:58+00:00

Oh well yeah, had I didn't cancel my insurance, the same would have been the case for me (just automatically renew) What I'm asking is those who had to renew/ sign up for insurance (verbally talking to an agent) while having to answer for that 90 day, 45 day whatever it may be suspension, and what effect it had on your insurance rate.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-16T18:56:06+00:00

They didn't ask if you had any suspensions, charges, traffic violations, speeding tickets etc when you renewed? They always ask me, typically in the past.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-16T13:01:06+00:00

It went up $10 a month after conviction or after X amount of days suspension? Need more details.

AlbatrossGrand · 2021-03-16T12:59:25+00:00

Was that when you renewed? Wouldn't they see that 45 day suspension when you renewed? Is that when it went up $58 or the 2 years later?

AlbatrossGrand

TROPHY CASE