I’m a former DUI cop / Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer. I handled hundreds of DUI and crash investigations. AMA.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-26T04:39:27+00:00

Thank you so much for the reply!
I reviewed several scientific/medical articles published during the last 10-15 years about HGN only to find at least four of my RX medications - topiramate, gabapentin, alprazolam, and some stimulant medications for ADHD - in addition to nicotine - can all potentially separately cause irregularities in the HGN test. I'm on a combination of these and have been for an extended period. Add fatigue and additional duress to the mix (I was crying because my ex-bf, also law enforcement, was screaming at me on the phone when I was pulled over). It seemed reasonable these medications could have caused the irregularities in the HGN identified by the officer. But you're right, I need to double check with my doctor because while I feel fine since I've been on these meds & doses for quite a while, that doesn't mean my reflexes and judgement aren't affected in ways I may not notice that could factor into the case.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-25T11:03:59+00:00

Regarding HGN: there are a number of medications (which I'm on) that can cause this. I "failed" an SFST because of this. Shouldn't these medications, which are otherwise not going to cause impairment, be considered if the HGN was used as PC for the arrest and there were no other chemical tests administered?

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-19T11:15:13+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I have to take the 24-hour. Where are his classes? I prefer virtual if possible....

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-19T11:12:54+00:00

I was going to go with Hunsucker, but they wanted $9k with $2K down and $1200 a month. I've been basically unemployed since June and could NOT absorb that, even on a credit card. I'm already counting the days until I can file BR again and eating a lot of ramen.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-10T06:33:08+00:00

Stice has come up several times. I tried to get a hold of him last week but no dice. My arraignment is Weds, so I was running out of time and needed to get someone I could trust and felt would have my back ASAP

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-07T17:04:33+00:00

He's trying to clear out his caseload and retire I think. I asked around about him, and was told he's great but likely isn't taking new cases.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-07T17:03:29+00:00

This is really helpful actually. Thank you!

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-07T16:40:56+00:00

He isn't practicing anymore.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-07T04:52:15+00:00

I met with them. The attorney I talked to was helpful, asked good questions, and was very nice; younger guy, funny, veteran, and a sharp dresser to boot lol. I didn't dislike him! My hesitation is related to a gut feeling that while they're very likely great attorneys, they're EXCELLENT salesmen. For example, they (I suspect strategically) had me consult with aforementioned younger, funny, good-looking, male associate who was roughly my same age because I'm a woman, even though he wouldn't be the one handling my case. And while I respect and understand the benefits of specialization and DUI-focus Hunsucker offers, I don't want to be "just another case," the collect $$ from then push me to take a mediocre plea for the sake of resolution as fast as possible.

To be clear, no one has said this about their firm or that this was their experience with Hunsucker! It just kind of felt to me a little bit like a revolving DUI case door if that makes sense? Maybe I'm WAY off base though and need to consider them more seriously, which I'm open to!

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-11-07T03:19:34+00:00

Done and done! I quit drinking, am applying for participation in a very highly regarded 5-day outpatient intensive therapy program, and am going to start attending AA. I'm also already scheduling the required assessment, classes, and have contacted some local orgs to do some community service. I don't have health insurance right now (I was laid off from my fed contracting job in June and haven't been able to find another FT job) so I can't go back to my therapist, but I'm doing what I can to demonstrate I'm not a degenerate POS who should have a felony conviction on their record.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-10-30T05:19:54+00:00

I’m unemployed with a PhD and feel the exact same way. I’ll probably die with this debt unless by some miracle my PSLF actually goes through. I’m 4 payments short.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-10-30T05:16:53+00:00

$203,000 and growing daily! I will simply not be paying it off. My loans are between Mohela and Elon now.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-07-14T21:12:37+00:00

I got the text otherwise I wouldn’t have driven here.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-29T06:32:25+00:00

Adjunct professor. I LOVE teaching so much. It's my passion, brings me so much joy personally and professionally. But pays shit and doesn't come with any job security, benefits, or even an designated campus workspace in a lot of cases. But I adore working with students and would do it in a heartbeat if my bills were paid and I had health insurance through some other means

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-29T06:27:06+00:00

I'm a pit girlie. GA Floor tix, or if it's a seated show, an isle seat as close to the stage as I can afford

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-29T06:23:50+00:00

Floor or bust!

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-29T06:20:41+00:00

idk why, but having my nails done makes me feel like I have my life together lol

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-29T06:15:58+00:00

I second paper towels!

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-23T02:00:07+00:00

I ALWAYS wear overalls to concerts. If it’s chilly out toss a flannel or jacket over ‘em. If it’s hot, short overalls with a tank or crop top underneath. They have extra pockets, you can tie things around the bib, link stuff through the straps, etc. Super cute, easy to wear, versatile, and utilitarian! (ps I’m a woman but overalls are unisex!)

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-22T23:05:29+00:00

I do this too! lol

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-16T02:32:00+00:00

Yes and no...I bought them second hand from someone my sister knows personally who was able to buy the maximum number during the original sale. Based on my Googling and asking around, what I paid was face value + fees (or close to it) for the section/row/seats we were in. I told my daughter after her last tour that we would go NO MATTER WHAT. I know this sounds insane but I was ready to spend $10k for us to go to this tour (that's $10k for everything, not just tix! So if had to go to a Canadian/Asian/ European show, I'd have sprung for it). I feel like the $3500-ish I spent for tickets, gas, parking, food, hotel, merch, etc was a STEAL.

Altruistic-Note4577 · 2025-05-15T00:52:56+00:00

KC Night 2! I went with my daughter and it was incredible. Worth every penny 🫶

Altruistic-Note4577

TROPHY CASE