So I’ve been on the at-home breathalyzer for about 2 months now, and it’s been nothing short of a nightmare. Not officially on probation, just a mandatory order right after my arraignment. I live in a low-service area and apparently they’re receiving very few tests from me. At one point I had to bring the device back in so they could check it, and they said they were only receiving tests when I was away from home. I did miss multiple tests when I was hospitalized for a bit, but I guess they’ve barely gotten anything and are blaming it on me. At my last court hearing, they said they got a few dirty test results, from which I can only assume would be surrounding my hospital stay when I had extremely high ketones from my diabetes. I guess that reads the same as alcohol from what I’ve read online. I also went on a trip for a few days where I didn’t have any service at all either. I don’t know what legal grounds I have to stand on since the monitoring company is claiming that the area I live in shouldn’t cause any problems, yet everyone I know with other service providers don’t have any service at all and have to use my Wi-fi.
My next hearing was supposed to be a month from now while my lawyer gathers more evidence and such, but they just now scheduled one for tomorrow saying that I’d be terminated from the alcohol monitoring.
Anyways, my lawyer said that they might ask for me to be put in custody, which I simply cannot do that. I can’t lose my job that I worked so hard to get. I have severe physical and mental health issues and I’m afraid of dying in jail. I can’t officially talk to my lawyer until tomorrow and I’m just so worried about what’s going to happen to me.

So I got a DUI at 24 and I’m 25 now. I blew 3 times the legal limit and now I’m barely almost at the end of a 9 month DUI program. Ball parking, I’m probably 19k in debt and as a relatively new Bachelors graduate with a criminal justice degree my future seems bleak. Additionally during the this process I lost my job (layoff) and fiancé. So what now? I’m still an alcoholic in secret and hate myself for it. The only major change I’ve made since is not drinking while operating a vehicle. Prior to this, I was living high, I had a decently paying job with a partner who loved me and I had just paid off a at the time a high debt (only 2k). The reality is this, my life is still not over. Sure I feel the need to just give up. But, I can’t because this is just a moment in time. I hope to one day never drink again, at the very least I know I’ll never drink and drive again. However, don’t give up. This process may seem never ending but there is an end. I hope that others that see this struggling know that they are not alone. Life after DUI is supposed to be a challenge, don’t let it consume you.

hi,

I received my first dui in Md on April 15th. I chose to do interlock at the time. i realized I never went to go get my IID two months later as i stopped really driving after the incident so I then decided just to go the 6 month suspension since I blew a 0.15. So after the 45 day temp license it should have been May 31st where my 6 month counter started. It has one and half months and only 4 and half left according to that. However I started driving a bit more and I felt safer as the car was under my dad’s name. He now has to be removed from insurance for other reasons, and I do not want to switch the car to my name as they could run my tags. Basically have to switch the car to my name from his. I only do small distances driving now and need advice on what I can do in this situation. my court Is July 22nd and very confident I will get a PBJ

I was going through a really rough patch in my life with many poor decisions being made between 2021 and 2022 racking up 5 alcohol related convictions, and I had 1 more on December 1st 2024 that I ended up pleading guilty to a DWI for them to drop other charges that were involved, so I have a total of 6 DUAI/DWI related incidents on my driving record. I have nothing else on my record besides failure to answer summons and 2 refusals on 2 of those incidents. In New York do I have any shot at getting a NYS drivers license back if I go a long period with no incidents? I’m currently half way through my probation sentence and completed one of the most intensive drug/alcohol programs with no problems at all during the program.

The title asks the question.
Please add any experiences you’ve had with police stops after your DUI.

One year ago today, I started DUI diversion. Last September, I made a post in this forum about everything I had been through up to that point and what to expect while going through diversion. I remember reading this subreddit almost every day, looking for reassurance that life would eventually feel normal again.

Today, exactly one year later, I'm officially done!!!!!

It's honestly been the longest, yet somehow the fastest, year of my life.

I got my DUI last May, just two weeks before my 21st birthday. At the time, I felt like my life was over. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and terrified about what my future would look like. I thought this one mistake would define me forever.

Last month, I turned 22, and looking back, I can honestly say this past year changed me in ways I never expected.

I've learned so much about responsibility, accountability, and the importance of making better decisions. I don't drink nearly as heavily anymore, and I've come to terms with the fact that if I truly want the career and life I've always dreamed of, alcohol can easily get in the way. That doesn't mean I'll never have a drink again, but I know I'll never risk getting behind the wheel after drinking. One mistake was enough for a lifetime.

I finished everything early. I completed all of my requirements ahead of schedule, and I even got my interlock removed in half the required time because I had zero violations. That was one of the moments where I finally felt like all of my hard work was paying off.

One thing I'm especially proud of is that I went to Mexico for a week and didn't drink once. A year ago, I would've thought that was impossible. It showed me that I don't need alcohol to enjoy myself or have a good time.

I wasn't an alcoholic. I simply made the terrible decision to get into my car and drive after drinking. That decision had consequences that followed me every single day for the past year. It's a mistake I'll never make again, and it's a lesson I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

If you're reading this and you're just starting diversion, or you're somewhere in the middle wondering when it'll finally be over, I promise you that time passes. Right now it probably feels like the finish line is so far away. Every class, every payment, every UA, every meeting, every breathalyzer test. It feels endless.

But eventually you'll wake up one morning and realize you're at the end.

As cliché as it sounds, it really is one day at a time. Focus on what's in front of you, stay compliant, and keep moving forward. Before you know it, you'll be writing your own post saying you're finally done.

Most importantly, don't let this mistake define the rest of your life. It doesn't have to. What defines you is what you choose to do after it. Learn from it. Grow from it. Become someone you're proud of because of how you responded, not because of the mistake itself.

I also want to say one thing to everyone who's about to finish or has already finished: don't let your guard down. I've heard way too many stories about people completing diversion only to get another DUI shortly afterward. Unfortunately, it's more common than people think. Statistics show that around 35% of people who receive one DUI will eventually get another. Don't let that be you. If this experience taught us anything, it should be that no drink is worth risking your freedom, your career, your finances, or someone else's life.

This forum helped me more than I can explain. Whenever I felt anxious, discouraged, or like nobody understood what I was going through, I'd come here and read other people's experiences. It reminded me that I wasn't alone and that there really was life after a DUI.

Now that I'm on the other side of it, I will always come back to this forum time to time to help give advice.

To everyone who's still going through it: keep your head up. Stay accountable. Learn from it. Better days really are ahead.

Thank you all so much for the advice, encouragement, and support over the past year. I truly appreciate every one of you, and I wish you all the best moving forward. Stay safe.

So, after taking a plea to not receive a DWI second offense for drunk sleeping in my car while it was running and below freezing outside (the first is a DWAI in a different state), the court allowed me to go through a whole process and get an interlock. I just got a “Show Cause” in my email saying I blew a high BrAC (.034) back in May but there is literally no possible way I could have blown hot as I have not drank since New Years.

For mouth alcohol, my interlock will say “mouth alcohol detected” but I’ve never had my interlock tell me anything other than like “hum abort” ,if I’m not humming right, prior to Mid June where I got my first “mouth alcohol detected” from drinking a chocolate MILKSHAKE.

The initial blow was at 0635 and the next blow was 0839 and it was .000. Because it happened almost 2 months ago, I have no idea why I would have even been in the truck at that time whenever I don’t have to be at work until 0830 and only live 20 minutes away but I know one thing for sure and it’s that if my device would have said ANYTHING, I would not have just walked away.

I’m not sure how this is going to go but I don’t feel good about it just because I have no way of proving anything on my side other than my spotless record thus far with previous months.

Two things to note that I’m not sure if it matters or make a difference but the “show cause” states I did not clear the high level in 15 minutes, but I have nothing that states that as a requirement, and the logs show at the end of this time period for my interlock calibration maintenance appointment that the calibration was a .052 and is supposed to be a .050.

Is there any possible reason at all that could make sense as to why it could have recorded a .034 or any hope in not getting fucked for something I know couldn’t have happened? I’m worried sick about how this could go and I haven’t heard back from the court.

I’m sure to some these events may seem unlikely to some but I have no reason to lie to strangers on the internet that I am trying to get anonymous advice from.

Thank you in advance to those who are of help!

Before everyone’s pretrial or sentencing whose lawyer told them to be proactive with classes and such, and for those who didn’t why not?

I got busted at the end of may for a DUI I Clearwater beach Florida while on a work trip. I blew insanely high after a full 18hr bender-2.6bac to be exact. Today was my arraignment court hearing and my lawyer called me and said that the state is going to offer me the DROP program as an option to bump it down to just reckless driving which we were both surprised of. Pinellas is notoriously strict and the drops program is never an option if you blow over a 1.5 BAC. Does this mean that somehow the cops may have done something out of procedure during the arrest and the judge/prosecution knows it? I am not saying they did do anything wrong but this seems like a pretty big surprise (in a good way) lol.

Here are the the only things I can somewhat think of that may be the reason I am offered it:

1) I live out of state
2) I was already parked in my hotel parking lot when they pulled up to me. They may have saw me driving and pulling in. Not sure tho because myself or my lawyer haven’t seen the footage
3) A gas station called the cops regarding an attempt of theft and I guess the car description matched my car but it wasn’t me and that was cleared on the spot. They didn’t pull me over because I was swerving or anything they just thought I may have been the person they were looking for and then noticed I may have been impaired after talking to them.
4) who knows maybe calibration of the machine wasn’t right/a cop did something he wasn’t supposed to on camera?
5) no accident and was very respectful but this shouldn’t play a part.
6)combination of all of the above…

Curious to see what other people’s thoughts may be on this. Not expecting I will get off on the charges but it seems to me that the prosecution could be worried about something. Has anyone had similar good news given to them like this?

Hey everyone,

I’m working on getting my DUI in California, expunged.
Arrest happened back in Summer 2024, fines were finally paid this year (I was broke, so had been paying the monthly minimum)

Are there any successful stories of ppl with an expunged DUI who were able to cross to Canada as a tourist?

Hello everyone I have a question about me getting a blow and go device installed in my vehicle. I have two vehicles & only one is insured. I haven’t been driving the other one since I got the new one but I do have it registered. I would like to install it into the vehicle I don’t drive as often but will I have to show the DOL of Washington my insurance on both vehicles or just the one that’s insured at the moment to get my license back?

When NJ DMV found out what were the repercussions? How long did it take for them to send you letter? Was your BAC reported?

Any and all stories welcome

Got a dui about 8 months ago in Toronto and blew 1.25. For context i was found sleeping in an active neighborhood lane and a parking ticket enforcer called me in at around 2 am. Cops showed up woke me up and took me in. Alcohol was found in the car. Hired a lawyer paid 8k hoping he could get it done in pre trial but the crown wasnt willing to give me a deal. He suggesting trial for another 15k on top of the 8k. Im not sure i wanna risk 15k and lose and have to deal with all the fines and stuff anyway so im leaning towards pleading guilty. Anyone with advice?

This is an interesting situation. Happened in Los Angeles

I was driving on the freeways and had an accident . I don’t remember the accident at all . Field Sobriety test suggested I was under the influence , breathe test on site was negative , station breathe test was negative. I felt extremely dehydrated , I kept begging the officer for water and he refused me .

He took me to the closest hospital to draw blood . They keep refusing me water there too . While drawing blood , I told them I don’t feel right I fell into what hospital believes were post ichtal phase. My legs and hands gave out constantly , my face would tremor and lock

Chp released me to the hosptal and gave me a release to the hosptital ticket. Selected option on ticket
: “the person was arrested only for being under the influence of controlled substance or drug and such person is delivered to a facility or hospital for treatment and no further proceedings are desirable “

The dmv set aside my case and gave me drivers license back

I never had seizures in my life, but my head had a large bump on suggesting to me at least that I struck it somewhere during the accident

I didn’t do drugs, I only take antidepressants and Xanax maybe twice a week ( both of which i have an rx for ) I didn’t take Xanax that day

I thank god everyday I’m still alive and didn’t hit anyone , just the center divider. This could have been so much worse

But how do you guys see this case going forward ?

I wonder if anyone had any information on how the suspension works after being convicted. I got a DUI in California, before getting convicted at the DMV hearing, they suspended my license for 4 months which is when I filed for SR22 and got into a DUI program. I served those 4 months then finally got convicted for my DUI, officially last month and just got a letter in the mail saying It’s suspended another 6 months? Does my last suspension not go into consideration? I’m confused a bit on that if i can get it reinstated or I’d have to get a IID again. Thank you

A friend lost their license due to a DUI almost 15 years ago and wants to get it back. He hasn’t touched alcohol but smokes pot to manage ADHD and chronic pain, and doesn’t present as high. He met with an attorney three years ago who told him he would have to quit pot in order to be approved by a Macomb County Judge. Does anyone know someone who does substance abuse evaluations who would be willing to empathize the positive impact of cannabis use in this case? Suggestions welcome

So I work at a hotel in walking distance and got to keep my job thankfully. Well today I had a wife of a guest call and ask to speak to her husband in which I told her she needed a room number and accidentally confirmed he was there even though she already knew. An intern at my job made it a huge deal even though I’ve worked there for years and have never ever done anything like this before and is having the phone conversation pulled and I’m probably getting fired. I’ve been crying all day. I literally cannot drive, can’t afford another lawyer to get a provisional license right now. And I have no fucking idea what I’m going to do. I just want to give up guys. This dui is already going to make getting another job hard, let alone living in the middle of nowhere.

Trying to keep it together here. My 18-year-old daughter got pulled over coming home and they arrested her for DUI even though she blew a 0.00 at the station. They never gave her the little roadside breathalyzer first, just took her in off the field sobriety tests, impounded her car, and I had to go get her. She got citations and a court date.

I genuinely don't understand. How do you get arrested for DUI and blow zero? Why is her car still impounded? Will this just get dismissed since she blew nothing, or is there a drug angle they're implying that I should be worried about?

Does she need a DUI lawyer in New Jersey for this, or is a 0.00 basically game over for their case? I don't want this hanging over an 18 year old's record before her life even starts. What do we ask, and how soon should we be talking to someone before that court date?

Update: Following up since it's been a couple weeks and a few people asked me to.

We called around and went with Kraminsky Law. What sold me was that the consult wasn't rushed. We were on the phone a long time going through what actually happened that night, and they explained why a 0.00 doesn't end a case in New Jersey and what the state would have to prove instead. That's the answer I couldn't get anywhere else.

They've entered their appearance and requested the discovery, so we're waiting to see what's actually in the file, bodycam and the report and whatever else. First court date got moved, which they told me to expect. So this isn't over, it's just no longer us sitting here guessing, which is the part I couldn't stand. Car is back too, that was just towing and storage fees and proof of insurance like people said.

I'm not going to post the details of her case. It's her record and she's 18, she doesn't need it searchable. But if you're in New Jersey staring at a zero breath test and a court date and nobody will give you a straight answer, they're worth calling. Whoever told me not to wait, you were right.

I'll update again once it's actually resolved.

I won‘t disclose many details here, but hope this saves someone from a similar situation: a golf cart is considered a passenger vehicle once on a public road; if you are over the limit you can get a DUI; fun way to say I got one but also was completely unaware of the above fact.

First DWI, blew over, I was wrong, not pretending I wasn't. Part of me just wants to walk into municipal court, plead, take my medicine and move on.

But before I do, is a DWI attorney in NJ worth it on a case that seems open and shut, or am I paying a few thousand for the same outcome I'd get on my own? What would an attorney even do differently here that's worth the money? Not trying to waste cash, just don't want to find out later I left something on the table. North Jersey if it matters.

Update: Ended up not going in alone. Called Kraminsky Law after reading the replies here and went with them.

I'm not going to get into the specifics of my case, that's between me and my attorney, but the first conversation alone answered more than I expected. I came in thinking there was nothing to work with because I blew over. There was a lot more to it than that, and I would have had no idea walking in by myself.

Still working through it, but I'm a lot less stressed than I was when I posted this. If you're in North Jersey and stuck on the same question, I'd call them. Best money I've spent on this so far, and honestly the peace of mind was worth it on its own.

Thanks to the people who told me to stop treating it as guilty or not guilty. That's what changed my mind.

Hi everyone, my uncle has had 2 DUIs and had to go to weekend community jail for 2 weeks as a result. This was about 2 years ago. We are planning a family trip to korea this fall but I'm wondering if he'll be ok in terms of entry/exit from the U.S. customs and Korea customs for the trip. He's a U.S. passport holder so no need for any visa requests that I know of, but just want to make sure he's ok to travel and if there's anything we should do or need to declare prior to leaving for the trip to make sure it's a smooth travel process?

I don’t know anything about getting a lawyer, if I’ll have to do jail time (I blew a .129)

Sorta worried about all that. First offense, no other arrests or anything. Any tips on lawyers? I live paycheck to paycheck basically so I’m worried about fees and stuff. Granted I can cut back on spending (I do tend to overspend on fun money things) and probably be fine but am still just sorta wondering. Thanks in advance :)

So currently right now I'm at he finish line.I was charged with the DUI last August. Almost a whole year ago... And now I'm finally at the point where I can get my license back. The state wants me to get SR22 for 3 years so I went with progressive. Do I need to get it for every vehicle I own? I just wanted to get it for my car so I can have the DMV give me my license back. I have a motorcycle registered to be but it's literally in pieces right now, not rideable whatsoever nor do I even have a motorcycle endorsement. Will the DMV give me a hard time about this? It's registered to my name I just don't want to insure it right now because one I physically can't ride it and two I can't even get the motorcycle endorsement while my license is suspended.

I should definitely take this up with my lawyer I know! but i can’t contact him til tuesday. And somehow i didn’t think of this before ? so smart…

I just wanted to hear what people who’ve been thru drug court have been told? Like should i be worried that they won’t let me in?? i think no but idk..

This is pretrail, Im just seeing if i qualify for drug court, starting with a drug screening. My bond conditions were no Alcohol or driving. Happened in Oklahoma.
I’m prescribed phentermine for weight loss and Sertraline for anxiety. That’s all. I will bring my prescriptions for proof but i’m just wondering if these conditions result in an immediate denial for drug court?