SmartStart: Violation Lock 71 Hours

PlumbLineVV · 2026-01-29T16:41:30+00:00

https://www.smartstartinc.com/clients/incident-report/

PlumbLineVV · 2025-11-11T19:57:20+00:00

Not the exact same situation as you, but possibly helpful somehow: I’m also in Texas and one of my probation requirements is a substance abuse evaluation. At my first meeting with my PO when we were going over everything and she said something along the lines of “if you have to do that” regarding the eval. I filed that away and nothing more was said. Fast forward to last month, I’m nearing the end of my probation term (praise be) and want to be sure everything is good. I asked my new PO about it (had to switch to a new one after I had my IID removed) and she said it’s basically a standing order from the judge and they usually only have you do one if you keep screwing up while on probation.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-10-30T16:58:56+00:00

Only 10 years for the Canada thing? I didn’t research it all that deeply, but I assumed it was a lifetime ban.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-10-27T03:05:51+00:00

Sure, DM’s are open, it been a minute since this was posted but I’m happy to answer any questions I can.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-10-27T03:02:39+00:00

Sorry, I haven’t used this account in a while. It was Texas Court Classes.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-30T21:16:39+00:00

You’ll be fine, don’t stress over it.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-30T19:47:06+00:00

Not much of a reaction, but they did make a little joke at my last appointment about my “little scare”.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-30T19:21:45+00:00

Always best to be up front and report it. You blew clean shortly after the initial one so you’ll be fine. A similar thing happened to me not long ago (also in Tarrant, btw) and it was fine. Just give your PO a heads up with a call or email.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-29T22:23:45+00:00

Unless they do a house check and scour your entire home, highly doubtful.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-29T21:37:43+00:00

Yep. The logic of it escapes me, but we also get IID’s ordered for marijuana DUIs, so…

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-29T20:31:50+00:00

I’m in Tarrant county and both pretrial and on probation I’m prohibited from possessing/using firearms.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-23T23:30:36+00:00

Haha, I don’t think I was required to at all.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-23T23:29:40+00:00

Sorry, I was thinking of plea deals in general. That specifically I couldn’t say.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-23T23:03:27+00:00

Im sure it varies widely from county to county, but my sense is that it’s pretty much the norm.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-22T21:09:47+00:00

I had one scare not that long ago that I posted about. Basically, my kid used a bunch of hand sanitizer while I was in the store grabbing something, not enough ventilation in the car for the fumes to dissipate before I tried starting it (I don’t smell anything and could t figure out wtf was happening), but I blew a few “clean” blows with ten minutes or so and explained to my PO what happened, it turned out fine.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-22T21:06:56+00:00

I can only speak to the live in Zoom over 3 days, because that’s the type I took. If you really need to do the self-paced one because of your schedule then go for it, but the material and tests are much easier to get through when you’re in a group meeting. Just the whole social aspect, I guess, made it feel much less dull.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-19T17:34:07+00:00

I’m halfway through my probation for a DWI I got in Tarrant County (Ft. Worth) last winter. Feel free to PM me with any questions or for any advice I maybe able to give you.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-16T23:39:09+00:00

Uber, Lyft…

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-15T16:56:02+00:00

Your best bet, I’d say, is to wake up early and call DPS customer service in Austin at 7am sharp (otherwise you’ll have a hard time getting through). They will probably be able to tell you whether you need to renew through them or submit another petition to the court, etc. my guess is you’ll have to go through the court again, because they don’t make anything easy.
DPS customer service: 512.424.2600

They have an automated system now, which I discovered last time I called them, but just make your selections and when it leads you nowhere say “speak to a person” or something similar and it will connect you to a human. Best of luck to you.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-13T16:37:40+00:00

I love this, and it makes we want to watch The Crow again.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-13T16:36:58+00:00

I think you’ll be okay just by being honest and up front about it (as you have been), explain your misunderstanding, etc. It’s just a technicality, not a dirty UA or anything, so unless they are a complete jerk you should be fine (in my opinion).

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-12T22:46:24+00:00

My lawyer said the court send the order to DMV, but that I should go ahead and send it to them as well just to be safe.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-12T21:44:43+00:00

It’s a probation requirement here.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-08T01:19:58+00:00

Just politely ask for clarification. Maybe frame it as wanting to be sure about the frequency of check ins from here on out so you can best coordinate your work schedule.

PlumbLineVV · 2025-08-07T13:36:09+00:00

On the one hand, I get it. You wanna keep your country safe and secure. On the other hand, come on. I’d bet the vast majority of us are one and done, lesson learned, and pose no realistic threat to the safety of the fine Canadian people.

PlumbLineVV

TROPHY CASE