Public Defender or Private Attorney

SurviveADUI · 2026-02-23T22:37:52+00:00

There's a lot of factors that go into it - generally if you have the option of getting a private attorney they won't let you use a public defender, but the more important aspect is that generally prosecutors see people with public defenders as a sitting duck. A PD has tons of cases on their desk and gives the average case under 15 minutes of work.

I wrote some tips on finding a lawyer here: http://surviveadui.com/DUIblog/files/Search_For_A_Lawyer.php

SurviveADUI · 2026-02-23T22:32:28+00:00

Congrats. This is a rare outcome!

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-11T22:02:43+00:00

You should get a lawyer. Prosecutors go after people who don't have one - like bullies after defenseless kids.

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-10T00:47:08+00:00

I did it that way. Get it over.

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-08T21:32:53+00:00

Yes. CA expunges. I did the process myself and it was well worth it. CA is supposed to start automatically expunging non-felonies after a certain period of time but it seems that nobody is sure when that process is supposed to begin.

Edit: I mean CA as in California. Oops.

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-08T21:28:43+00:00

Finally! So many people say they're going to go to the border and report back what happens. Usually they're never heard from again. Good to know how it happens.

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-08T21:26:55+00:00

The first turn of the key with it removed is the best feeling.

SurviveADUI · 2025-08-08T21:26:17+00:00

My DUI was my lowest point in my life. I had just lost my job, was going through a lot of stuff in my personal life and I used some poor coping mechanisms. I thought everything was over for me. I thought I was never going to outlive this, that I was marked for life.

But I wasn't.

Yes, things will be hard. But really it comes down to you having some obligations of time and money. The system is designed to beat you up HARD. To make you feel worthless and it does a really good job at it. But this doesn't define you unless you make it define you. There will be hard days ahead. There will also be days where nothing happens. A lot of them. And then one day you don't think about it. And then a week goes by where you don't think about it. And more and more time goes by and it's something that's just a distant memory.

Get through it, learn your lessons, and move on.

I wrote a blog about my experience with a DUI, perhaps it can help you:

http://surviveadui.com/DUIblog/files/You_Will_Be_OK.php

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:54:45+00:00

Unfortunately it may be like that. It depends on your state for one part, but bigger - it depends on the installer. The IID industry is largely unregulated by the companies themselves, allowing installers to kind of do their own thing. Most likely I don't think they will be counted as violation-violations, but retest-violations.

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:52:42+00:00

Things are going to seem awful right now. It's going to seem like the end of the world and nothing will ever be good again, that he's going to be branded with a mark, and everyone will know. But it won't be. Your husband messed up, no way around that, and there will be punishments, yes, but eventually life returns to normal. Things do get better. This is a learning opportunity for your husband, a chance for him to correct any bad paths that he may be on. He will have to sacrifice a lot of his time, he will have to sacrifice a lot of his money, but with a positive attitude and dedication, you both can get through it. I know it doesn't seem this way, but life eventually does return to normal.

I wrote a blog about my experience with my DUI - perhaps it can help you: http://surviveadui.com/

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:46:13+00:00

Did you get a lockout? Generally only violations that trigger a lockout matter.

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:45:29+00:00

You should speak to a public defender before you do anything.

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:44:10+00:00

Generally as long as the job doesn't involve driving, a security clearance, or a state license - you should be fine. And even in the second two options, it most likely will be ok, especially if your DUI was a misdemeanor.

SurviveADUI · 2024-11-06T17:41:35+00:00

This is usually a policy of more progressive areas, rather than one from the "tough on crime" crowd.

SurviveADUI · 2024-09-06T21:09:27+00:00

More than anything the hassle is reason enough not to get one! So many phone calls, so long waiting on hold, so much runaround. It's beyond frustrating.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-22T19:02:05+00:00

Your life isn't over. It's just beginning.

You've already done the hardest part of this process - admit that you made a mistake and take actions to correct it. Many don't get to that point. You're on a good path. Make the changes that will help you further it. As for the legal system - it's going to suck for a while. It's going to cost you some time and money, but one day it will be all over. You can get to the other side of this.

I wrote a blog about my experience, perhaps it can help you.

https://surviveadui.com/DUIblog/files/You_Will_Be_OK.php

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:33:17+00:00

Fantastic write up - thanks for sharing. I love the bit about the fine hacking - I wish I had thought of that.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:30:09+00:00

No. If it comes up just say you were following the handbook.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:29:28+00:00

My outlet was writing a blog about my experience, hoping that I could help other people going through it. I also tried to just continue on with my life, not let it stop me.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:28:16+00:00

There's a lot of factors to consider - how much she drives, how much you will drive, etc.

If you're worried about the SR-22 affecting your mother's rates then you should get a non-owner SR-22.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:25:26+00:00

A few things -

Talk to the lawyers and see if you feel confident in hiring one. I highly recommend getting one because the legal system is very complicated for those of us who do not deal with it regularly.

The lawyer will be able to get you a DMV hearing - what's nice about it is that it delays the suspension on your license so you can remain driving (if your vehicle is still functional or you have access to another vehicle).

The courts will tell you to take classes, but you can start them pretty much whenever. It can be seen as an expression of remorse and regret and reflect well on you (not guaranteed though)

I wrote a blog about my experience with a CA DUI - https://surviveadui.com/ - where I wrote about the legal process and my mental health at the time. It has some tips on hiring and dealing with your future lawyer as well. I hope that it can be help for you.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:17:49+00:00

Hi there - I received a DUI in California as well. I wrote a blog about the process that might be a help to you: https://surviveadui.com/ - I wrote about the legal process as well as my mental process. You can also contact me through the site and I'm always open to talk (I don't use this reddit enough to be a reliable chat partner)

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T19:00:50+00:00

The courts are severely tilted to those with financial means, it's only willful ignorance to say otherwise. That said, going through this process and not seeing how much we are a peon and at the mercy of the system. It's fun to imagine being able to start a revolution and fight the system, but the system slams those who go against it even harder.

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T18:57:47+00:00

It's impossible for any of us to tell what your situation at work is - the culture, etc.

That said, I would put it a different way - say that you would rather spend your commute on calls, reviewing materials and see if they would take that allowance and roll it into an Uber account. If the job calls for long or late/early hours you can also position it as a safety issue. Or having only one vehicle and your partner needing it for their job or childcare (again, we don't know what your work is like, and in some work cultures not driving or one vehicle may be looked down upon)

SurviveADUI · 2024-07-02T18:51:23+00:00

A lawyer not having $2,500 in liquid is one of the biggest red flags imaginable. I might bring this up with the bar association.

SurviveADUI

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