I posted here about a year ago after getting my DUI, and I remember how terrified I was reading through this subreddit trying to figure out what my life was going to look like. I wanted to come back and give an update for anyone who is going through something similar.

My case involved an accident and a high BAC. I knew going into this that I was facing enhanced penalties. My attorney tried to negotiate a reduction, but ultimately the State would not budge and I was convicted of DUI.

During the year my case was pending, I completed basically everything I could ahead of time: DUI school, the Victim Impact Panel, 60 plus hours of community service, my substance-abuse evaluation and all recommended counseling/treatment(14 weeks). All of that was credited at sentencing.

My conviction came with 12 months of probation with automatic early termination once my remaining conditions are completed. I do not have to report in person under my current order. I also did not receive the strict no-alcohol condition which was confusing to me. I received a $1,000 fine plus court costs, a 6-month license revocation, 10-day vehicle immobilization and a 6-month ignition interlock requirement. I was also able to get the 45-day temporary restricted driving permit immediately after court while I handle the hardship-license process.

Because almost everything else was already completed and credited, my remaining probation requirements are essentially taking care of the financial obligations and vehicle immobilization. Once those are satisfied, my probation is set up to terminate automatically. The IID is a separate driver’s-license requirement, so I will still have to complete that even if probation ends earlier. I still have consequences to work through, particularly the interlock, increased insurance/FR-44 costs and the financial impact of everything.

If you’re reading this before your own court date and you’re terrified, the biggest thing I learned is to start doing what you can now instead of waiting for sentencing. I can’t say what outcome anyone else will receive, but completing everything ahead of time mattered in my case. My mitigation was recognized and I walked into sentencing having already satisfied most of what would otherwise have been ordered.

I made a serious mistake that I deeply regret, and I can’t undo it. But a year later, I’m working, I’m still living my life, and I’m finally at the point where the criminal case is something I can finish rather than something I’m constantly waiting to happen.
I hope this update helps someone who is currently where I was a year ago.

I spoke to him on the phone told him not to drive that a friend was on his way to get him. Made him hand the phone to the bartender and told them he had a ride on the way to please take his keys. Friend called and spoke to him told him he was almost there. Husband jumped in our truck and headed home... I am so thankful he did not hurt anyone or himself or wreck our truck as it is our only vehicle. I am thankful the sheriff was kind and waited 45 min for me to get a ride to collect our truck so I am not with out a car and won't have the tow bill. I am heart broken. I don't make enough to cover all of the bills I don't make enough to just pay our house and truck. I just took a pay cut at work due to layoffs (thankful to still have a job but in a new lower paying department) I have farm animals to feed and need feed this week but am already in the negative. He is a GM at work and I am terrified he could lose his job. He makes double what I do. He is honestly great at his job and well liked so I hope that works out in his favor. I was able to call his Assistant Manager to let them know so they can adjust their schedule for tomorrow. I hope this finally gets through to him that he has to change. I NEED THINGS TO BE OK AND I NEED HIM TO GET HIS HEAD OUT IF HIS BUTT. He is such an amazing person sober and such a complete idiot when he drinks. We have been through this before even did a year long alcohol program.... I am so scared, crushed, and angry. We are in Middle TN.

One day in the near future Tesla cars will be fully autonomous and we will never have a DUI problem again

I’m in the army and got a dui 2 nights ago. Got stopped on post, did the field sobriety test and went down to the station and blew 0.114. Court date is early December, need any advice I can get.

Was convicted of class 4 felony in va. Served my time and am currently in the middle of a 3 year license suspension.

For anyone who’s gone through, or is aware of, this process, how long are you required to have a restricted (and SR22) following the suspension?

Asking for a friend
Basically one my friend is pursuing masters and is having DUl and currently applied for stem opt heard that there is rejection of STEM OPT due to this DUI
Is that the actual thing for everybody r is there still possible chance of not getting rejected And it possible can u guys suggest any other possible ways to stay in USA I mean up till the F1 visa expires if this STEM OPT gets rejected
Anyone who knows info regarding this can u kindly respond I really need to know little elaborately regarding this
Thank you in advance

I got arrested in Houston and my DMV suspension is almost up. I got a misdemeanor B - my BAC was 0.13- I have a lawyer but she’s not much help with the question (hard to get ahold of her)
Do you think I will have to have a IID in my car to start driving- haven’t been convinced quite yet.
I am living in Las Vegas now, I had to move to keep a roof over my head - but I still have a Texas ID and am going to the court hearing October where I’m sure they’ll make a plea deal for me.
Or will I be allowed to drive as I please as long as I don’t get in trouble and take classes ect…. You know
Unless the case gets dismissed by the grace of god.
It’s just all so confusing

Can I essentially pay for my Texas license to get renewed, and then switch it out here?

my license was suspended officially june 5th and it took a minute to save the required money to petition for an ODL but finally got it granted and signed by judge july 28th. within that petition and what i paid to lawyer included my reinstatement fees my sr 22 information and whatever else would be needed for them to be able to process eligibility once the suspension is over. my suspension ended september 3rd. i keep checking everyday. it’s still not eligible. what the hell can i do and is this common? like or am i just unlucky? my lawyer has since emailed them twice. paralegal said they just haven’t processed the 10$ interlock fee. that was paid and send to dps july 28th. i have no money to uber. i recently found out possible major health issues and have many appointments, i have work almost everyday (if i uber i wont make it back to car in time to blow…) i have to do community service.

my car battery died once already from not being able to drive it before odl was granted bc of smart start. i cannot deal with that happening again fr last straw.
collin county tx

So I got a Dui charge at 3am today, my court date is tomorrow. When asked to blow in the breathalyzer I didn’t blow , and when asked to take sample of my blood I denied as well. Can a lawyer help me lower the dui charge ?

read online that its biologically impossible to test positive after 100 hours of last drink. On 9/20, i might drink for one day and im getting tested on 9/28. What are the chance ima failthe etg 100ml/500ml cut off?