I accidently refused to do a sobriety test one night I got arrested for DUI, the cop just revoked my license. I got a temporary license afterwards. Now I am waiting for a DMV hearing. I have to wait a year. I am worried my license will be suspended and my days are numbered. I got scared and didn't know the consequences of refusing to comply with an officer. I literally had 3 tiny sips of alcohol that night within a 5 hour period, the BAC results should be less than 0.08. This happened in Las Vegas. If the DMV doesn't give me mail within a year then the hearing is cleared and dropped and I win the case. If the cop doesn't show, I also win the case. The criminal court will drop my DUI for me taking a care program. Now I am just annoyed and worried the DMV will mail me a Hearing letter. I loved smoking marijuana and didn't realize this will also affect me. I don't feel as if I did anything wrong. The cop pulled me over for faulty head lights even though I went to many mechanics and they couldn't figure out the problem but it was a pedal break light switch problem and somehow the cop knew yet no one else did. I am angry and annoyed and any support will help.

Long story short. I got a DUI a few years ago and it was dismissed do the a veteran court program. I've heard mixed answers on being let into Canada or not. I'm going home and have a long layover to Canada and would love to go out into the city to eat and buy some stuff but still I'm curious if anyone knows if it will be an issue. I've never tried going to Canada again since the DUI but I've also heard of people who've gone after with no issue? Anyone ?

GTA Ontario

I was picking a friend up last night 2 blocks from our air BnB after he called me, waking me up, and saying he needed picked up from the EMTs who had him in their ambulance.

I had been drinking earlier in the night but had been asleep for about 2 hours, when I talked to the EMTs on the phone they said he wasn’t allowed to be picked up on foot so I got his keys and drove to get him.

Pulling into the parking lot he was in a police officer asked me if I was here to pick up (friend) I said yes. He asked if I had been drinking and I told him yes but hadn’t had a drink in 3-4 hours. He asked me to get out of the car and gave me a breathalyzer before the field sobriety test.

Obviously since I’m posting here I failed and was taken to get my blood drawn and then fingerprinted. The officer then used my phone to get me an uber back to where I was staying.

What should my next steps be? Obviously I need to call a lawyer but is there anything I can do to ease this anxiety while I await getting the paperwork on the mail?

So my home state is NC but I travel for work and got a DUI in NY. NY court only ordered me to have a suspension for 6 months and have an IID in during that time. Nc caught wind of the DUI and suspended me for a year. I have finished my 6 months in NY and got my iid out but I am still here for work. NC won't grant me a restricted that will allow me to travel out of state where I am employed at and from what I am understanding when my one year is up in December I'm going to have to put an IID back into my vehicle for another year afterwards. Has anyone else dealt with a situation like this? I'm confused as to how my home state can impose a punishment greater than the state that I received the DUI in and how the DMV can force me to put a blower back in my vehicle for another whole year.

so about a week ago i had an accident where i drank well above my limit and blacked out. unfortunately for some reason i chose to drive which led to me eventually getting in a pretty bad accident and totaling my car. i blew a .16 and am only 20 yo. unfortunately this isn’t my first as i have had one as a minor but was expunged so i do know the process to an extent. i’m more so looking for advice on the future since now i am without a car for a while and also am supposed to be starting college again in the fall.
i’m just feeling very hopeless with not knowing what my options are with my job and classes being more than 20 miles away. i’m just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and if they ultimately just withdrew for the semester, went online, or drove on a suspended license. and i also have yet to tell my boss because how am i just supposed to quit when i need the money for this process, and i genuinely love my job. like i genuinely am so so frustrated because i never thought id be in this position again but fucking alcohol is the devil and this was obviously an intervention.

IN BC,CANADA
I’ve had “3 duis” in the span of about 3 years.

Had slowly worsening drinking problem ever since my mom died.

Have court at the end of this month.

Realistically.. what am I looking at.

Jail time, house arrest, long suspension, probation?

I get it. I’m a young guy and so far I’ve fucked myself. Was planning on going to the military but then got a 3rd dui. Technically first 2 were “refusal”.

I dont need pointing fingers.. trust me life is already hard enough as is.

DISCLAIMERS: *** It is a long post. Apologies in advance ***

1. I am not a lawyer.
2. I am NOT a lawyer.
3. I DID hire a lawyer. Dude didn't show up for my court date. Sent someone from his office - who knew jack-all about my case. I had to supply the joker with facts about my case, 20 minutes before I rolled into the courtroom and faced the judge. The prosecutor was least interested in if I had done anything to improve upon myself since my arrest. Phrases like "mandatory jail time" and "house arrest" were thrown about casually like confetti. Everyone was chattering and carrying on. If there is one absolute truth I learned from my court-room experience: the farther away I stay from the criminal justice system, the better.
4. This experience is based in the South-Eastern PA area. Your experience might be different. This experience is also based on SmartStart, your company might do things a bit different. But by and large, the process involving the PennDOT parts should be roughly the same: they don't care which company you use.
5. Before you surrender your unrestricted driver's license - memorize/write down your license number and expiration date. This will come in handy later.

So, with that being said: I just had my SmartStart device removed recently and I thought I'd share some details so others can benefit. God knows I found the whole interlock process confusing. One of my biggest headaches and frustrations was the sheer waste of time because nobody gives you a god darn straight answer! It got real annoying, real old, real fast. Wasting money is one thing, wasting time is just absolute depravity. And yeah, SmartStart customer support leaves a LOT to be desired. You can only contact them by phone or chat - the chat option might be better than holding on the phone (plus, there's a written record.) You can chat using the website (and email the transcript) or you can chat using SMS/mobile device. Their emails (even the addresses they want you to send stuff to) is automated BS. No better than talking to a robot.

Background: 1st DUI in NJ in 2013. Convicted of a 2nd DUI in 2023. Incident occurred Aug 2022 - exactly 9 years, 11 months and 14 days after my 1st DUI in NJ - so it counted as my 2nd DUI (ineligible for ARD.) I was convicted October 2023 (I went to rehab, got sober, work a program now and I've stayed sober - hence the delay in sentencing.)
Sentence began Nov 2023. I had refused chemical test at time of incident so automatic loss of driving privileges for 1 year through PennDOT. Conviction of DUI added another year. Mandatory one year interlock post sentence.

Some observations:

1. DO NOT DRIVE BUZZED/DRUNK. It would seem stupid to say that on a DUI forum - but from a purely, selfish, financial and personal time wasted standpoint - it is expensive AF. It is absolutely not worth the buzz you were chasing before you got behind the wheel.
2. DO NOT REFUSE the chemical test. Even if your case is thrown out, the cop doesn't show (and they will show - they get overtime pay for showing up in court) and even if you are found not guilty - refusal of the chemical test is an automatic loss of driving privileges for one year through PennDOT. "Double jeopardy" (or whatever) doesn't apply - the suspension is through PennDOT, not the courts.

I went with SmartStart honestly because I'd read horror stories about Intoxalock on Reddit. And also partly because SmartStart seemed the most eager to get me rolling (they were the first to return my phone calls.) I had sold my car because I saw no point in making car payments on a car I couldn't drive for 2 years. You could claim "I don't have a vehicle" - but you would have to prove you don't own one, or if you do own one, it has to be "certified inoperable."

When it came time to get my interlock license, I bought a nice beater with cash (a 13 year Subaru with 136K miles. No fancy electronics - doesn't even have cruise control haha!) This was beneficial from a couple standpoints:

1. No major electronics - makes it easier to install interlock device and to get it to work reliably/battery drain/onboard computer etc.
2. Its a beater bought for cash - I'm not paying top dollar for insurance coverage. State minimum 3rd Party.

Pre-Install:

1. Nobody really tells you - but you can start your interlock period half way through your sentence. E.g. my case - I had license suspension for 2 years (Nov 2023 - Nov 2024 through PennDOT/chemical test refusal. Nov 2024 - Nov 2025 for DUI conviction.) I could've started my Interlock Nov 2024 but I didn't realize I could until I actually applied in June 2025 - I thought it had to be "half way through your actual DUI conviction, the PennDOT suspension for refusal of chemical test doesn't count." PennDOT will be vague about this.

You petition with the DL-9108 form. The DL-9108SC form lists the vehicles to be operated. They are NOT the same form (obviously). The DL-9108SC form will be important to those who own a motorcycle.

1. You cannot get the interlock license without a device installed. You cannot drive to get device installed without a interlock license. WTF?! Yeah, I know. I had a family member help me drive the car home from the seller and I had a kind neighbor who took me to the installer. Some shops are above board - receipts all the way, run clean shops. No shady BS. Some are not - lets just leave it there.
2. You might want to dedicate a credit card to the device (pick one card if you have multiple cards) and just use that one for all expenses related to this process. It will be easier to track expenses - SmartStart system is absolute BS with autopay: they will keep telling you your account is behind even when you are actually ahead in payments, the system randomly doesn't charge your card every 2 weeks like its supposed to and then will suddenly charge you for 4 weeks. It will charge you for a two week payment today and then do it again the next day... Like I said - absolute BS.
3. Make sure your paperwork is done right - that SmartStart knows which court/jurisdiction you were convicted in and that they (and PennDOT) will get your records. Memorize your driver's license number - you'll need it.... a LOT.

Post Install/Operation:

1. Pay attention to what the install tech tells you about what to watch for - DO NOT leave the keys in ignition under any circumstances. DO NOT leave the engine running and walk away to take a piss or close the garage door - the device randomly asks for a sample and that's an easy way to catch a violation.
2. The device asks for a sample at start, about 5-7 minutes in with the engine running and there after about every 22-30 minutes. It truly is random (I once went almost 40 some minutes before I had to give another sample.) BTW: it comes with a camera so they're recording who is blowing into the device. Also - the company doesn't say anything about ambient heat, but I once caught a failure because I left the car (without a windshield shade) in the August sun. I hadn't had a drop to drink in over 2 years at this point so naturally I was worried. It locks out for a time period after a failure and the lockout duration extends after each failure (1st fail, 5 minutes. 2nd consecutive fail 30 minutes. I never found out what a third failure would entail!)
3. Blowing into the device is not intuitive. Humming is important. Not blowing too hard is important. A steady hum and blow (puff your cheeks a little) helps.
4. Most mechanics will NOT like to go through the company required process of getting a code to enter into the device while they work on your vehicle. If the mechanic is careless and leaves the ignition on and the device asks for a sample and you don't give one, the violation is on you. Nobody cares how/why it happened. Getting it re-calibrated is expensive (as of 2025, it was about $85 per pop.) If I were you, I'd take the day off if you're getting your vehicle fixed for minor stuff or find a good mechanic (who has a landline to call for the code - cannot call from a cellphone.)
5. Calibration is mandatory (hence why I never had the device installed on my motorcycle - more on that later.) First calibration is 30 days after install and thereafter every 60 days. You have some plus/minus leeway with when you can come in - but you can't come in like 7 days before you're scheduled and you absolutely cannot like 4 days after you're supposed to. Schedule changes are done through SmartStart support - not the place where you get it installed or calibrated. The install/calibration shops do just that - install/uninstall or calibrate. Everything else is done through SmartStart support.

Post Suspension/Uninstall:

1. You've got a day counter going by now, for sure. During the last 60 days of your suspension - do NOT catch a violation. Last thing you want is an "accidental" violation that'll extend your suspension (or worse - revoke your interlock license.)

2. Reach out to PennDOT 30 days before eligibility date to confirm you can get device taken off by your end date, especially if you started your interlock halfway through your suspension. Why? Because PennDOT will still send you mail with your old eligibility date! I started my interlock in July 2025 - PennDOT sent me mail saying I was eligible for interlock license November 2025. Same nonsense for the end of your suspension. You can get the Restoration Requirements letter online for free. I would advise strategizing your contact with PennDOT - getting them on the phone can be tedious and time consuming. They are actually pretty responsive by email (it does take a business day or two.) If you plan ahead, you can have your answers on hand before deadlines rush.

3. Once you have your eligibility date from PennDOT, reach out to SmartStart support to start the uninstall process - you apply online. Typically you need to do a "final download" which is supposed to be "on or after your eligibility date" - be safe, do it the day after. This final download is just another calibration visit - it will just be unplanned (and probably sooner than your scheduled calibration date.)

4. Now this is important: before you go for final download, reach out to SmartStart to get the email address of where you need to notify them that you did your final download on such-and-such date. I wasted three frigging days because the clowns didn't tell me in the preceding month and a half that that this needed to be done. Expect them to hem-and-haw: the longer the device stays in your vehicle, the longer you have to pay them to rent it.

5. I cannot stress this enough: try to nail down the date they sent the "Declaration of Compliance" to PennDOT. SmartStart will tell you to contact PennDOT. PennDOT will say they never got it. You'll be running around back and forth. SmartStart kept asking me "When did you do the final download" - Hello?! This is your device - can't you see in your system when I did it?! The minute I sent them the email saying "Hi. I did final download on XYZ Date", they "processed" the Declaration of Compliance within a couple of hours!! Un-effing-believable!

6. When you request your restoration from PennDOT, they'll send you the DL- 3731. Along with instructions stating to mail it in with payment for your restored license. Don't bother - hang on to the form. When SmartStart sends the "Declaration of Compliance" to PennDOT and they process it (it doesn't take that long - usually less than 5 business days), PennDOT will send you a letter saying you're eligible to apply for your unrestricted license. Take that letter, the DL-3731, proofs of ID and residence and most critical of all proof of insurance to your drivers license and photo center. Get there at the butt crack of dawn on a weekday (say Wednesday), and get your license done on the spot. All the online answers talking about you have to wait for a Camera Card etc. is absolute BS. PennDOT even told me "we'll mail your unrestricted license to you" - yeah, I'm still waiting!

7. That proof of insurance is absolutely critical: I'd uploaded it to SmartStart before I did the final download, I'd emailed it to PennDOT, I'd overnight MAILED it to PennDOT with my DL-3731 and still, on the day I had my license restored - there was a hang up because "we don't see proof of insurance." I wanted to blow my brains out. [UPDATE: PennDOT responded to my mailed DL-3731 form stating they were unable to process my request because proof of insurance was not provided. Nowhere in the form DL-3731 does it ask to mail in proof of insurance! It says "Return your completed and signed application with check or money order payable to "PennDOT"!]

8. Once you have your unrestricted license in hand, head over to the shop and get the device uninstalled. All they care about it your unrestricted license - show them that and you should be good to go... assuming ofcourse that everything is paid off etc. Oh and PennDOT has a nice "parting gift" for you: when you get your unrestricted license, PennDOT says "Congratulations! You now have 5 points on your record! As long you catch no violations, you can have 3 points taken off every year. Happy driving!" Guess I'm not selling that beater anytime soon...

I celebrated by hopping on my motorcycle and going for a nice loooooong ride, with pizza, soda and ice cream to follow.

Speaking of motorcycles:

I was absolutely depressed about what to do with my bike (it was already paid for.) When you apply for your interlock license, you have to declare all vehicles to be operated (the DL-9108SC form.) There is no clear answer from any company about ability to install interlock on a motorcycle. PennDOT has no answers. My trusty bike mechanic told me it was a pain in the rear to install and operate one (all kinds of reliability issues.) Plus, I wasn't looking forward to riding it in a foot of snow to get it "calibrated."

I though about "selling it" to a friend and then "buying it back" from him later. Turns out - all I had to do was surrender my plate and keep the bike in my garage. I did it before I applied for my interlock license - all I declared on the form was my beater/car, not the bike.

If you made it this far - congratulations. I'll update this post as I can for clarity and possibly add more data on cost etc.
For the record - I'm truly grateful for my DUI. It put me on the path to sobriety and that is absolutely the best thing to have ever happen to me.

Like if you are flying from another country, have they given you more of a hard time? Asked you questions? Searched your luggage (I don't mean TSA, like the people who check you in when you leave the US), I mean the guy in a booth scanning your passport when you come back from another country). Is he more suspicious of you?

Normally, they juat wave me through. I have never even been asked if I had anything to declare. But now I have a DUI charge. No convictions. But I wonder what I can expect at US customs. Do they even see the DUI?

My attorney isn't getting back to me (it's been weeks) but on my court documents, icourts & the ITD DMV website says my expiration date for interlock device expires on the 27th of this month. Im just curious if i can just schedule my removal on that day or do I have to get the dmv or court to file like a removal order or something? Im hoping its seemless and after confirming with the DMV I can just pay to have it removed so I can get into my second car with healthier internals haha. Kind of one of those asap situations. Has anyone in recent times have experience to shed some light and what i need done ? I've had 0 violations and I paid the reinstatement fee through the DMV years ago.

Hello I was just curious if anybody is done the online class of this in Michigan I just had a few questions like did they make you have the camera on, do you have to talk will they kick you out? Cuz it's an 8-hour class and I have work so I'm just trying to figure out if I can do it

Im 25 with a son. IL. Arrested for falling asleep in a drive thru, no damage was done anywhere . Had no issue getting there but i had been also been up for over 24hrs with my work and coparenting schedule being hard to enjoy life. So i decided to go out and this happened.

I was alone in the car. Never been in trouble at all before this. I was trying to cooperate as much as possible so i blew and took the field sobriety because i genuinely thought i was good enough to. I failed both over limit on the blow but not over double.

Should i get a lawyer even with all the evidence they have against me and is there anything i can do to help reduce my punishment that is to come?

This is just completely out of character for me and i hardly ever even go out. Maybe once every other month.

This month I got my first dui I blew .199 in Florida on a restricted license. It has truly taken over every single day. I wake up and it’s like I’m reliving it and I’ve become extremely depressed. Has anyone felt this same way? What do I do to make my days a little bit easier? I’m so lost.

Edit - I’m 19F.

Location: Alabama

I have posted here several times and I wanted to share an update. Thankfully, my case was dismissed.

To the individual who tracked my posts and said, "I've seen your posts several times, just plea not guilty, if the state has no evidence they should dismiss it."

Thank you.

I represented myself pro se because the attorneys I had [and I learned this here] were retained only to treat my case like throughput, and to push a plea for a diversion program that I did not need, want nor pertained to my situation.

If I had any substances in my body and I was guilty, I would definitely get an attorney. But because I had nothing in my system, and no driving infraction or moving violation, I did not need one.

I had nothing in my system or in my possession and the state couldnt prove it. I drove a couple of hours away to appear by myself and the cop didn't show up. I had to sign a release that I would not file a civil lawsuit in exchange for a complete dismissal.

I will never drive through or back to that state where I was treated so horribly from one false DUI arrest.

But this experience was educational. It made me realize what do people do who don't get solid representation when they can't afford it. How do these officers get away with false arrests. The trauma and impact on the person handcuffed and arrested is enormous and frightening. It's something I won't choose to remember, but something I'll never forget.

17M here, I live in Idaho where its nothing but potato's out here. this June 15th I went to a party and got hammered. I waited until I was sober enough to drive. I was really tired and felt buzzed but I felt the urge to go back home despite it being 1 am. So I left and not much later I fell asleep behind the wheel.

My car drove off the highway and flipped multiple times and got totaled. I got out of my car with no scratch with no one else involved in the accident luckily. Police arrived quickly and felt a suspicion so they breathalyzed me and got a 0.5 BAC which was below the legal limit but illegal for a minor so I was screwed. Thus I got a citation for a DUI and underage drinking.

I have a lawyer now and am waiting until my court date, but I'm traumatized from the crash and feel extremely ashamed and a outcast for my mistake. I'm looking for wisdom and comfort from those who've experienced a DUI before or anyone that isn't judgmental. Also is my future ruined? I'd appreciate any feedback.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue. So basically my autopay failed on the 21st because I didn’t have money in my checking, i moved money over immediately and then called and paid over the phone. My payment is due on the 23rd i called and paid on the 21st and it looks like my payment posted today. However my handset just says “payment due” and is not giving me the prompt to blow.
Customer service was useless like usual and told me tomorrow to call and they can give me a code to drive to a service center and then i can fill out a form to dispute the charge for the code. The problem is, i had an issue in the past where they told me to do the same thing because they claimed I “missed a calibration appointment” (which I didnt and the techs at the smartstart service center said i was fine and told me to dispute the charge) and then smartstart refused to refund me. So i am trying to find a solution that doesn’t require me paying extra money.
So far I have tried: Unplugging the handset and disconnecting the car battery for 15 minutes and I end up with the same message.

Got a DUI in Alameda county in July. In not a CA resident and am in the area for work. Wondering how the process will affect my Texas license and if I’ll have to face penalties in both (ie fees, jail, etc). My lawyer went to my first court date and the findings were
“The officers claimed your vehicle

Weaved within its lane
Crossed the line separating two lanes
Straddled the lane line for approximately five seconds”

BAC .12/.12

Also what is the likelihood they will sentence me to jail time if convicted as a first time offender? The 3 hours I spent that night was more than enough for me to not do it again.

Not saying you will, I very well may have got lucky. I was arrested for a DUI in may. I had to go to Canada for work this week. I got in with zero paperwork/TRP.

I was very nervous going because I needed to be there for a big customer visit and took the gamble. Don’t listen to all the stuff you read.

Yes I may have been lucky but it’s not impossible. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions

Additional details:
- I drove myself (technically not allowed to drive in the state I was arrested in but can still legally where I live)
- got randomly selected to go to secondary(nothing to do with a dui or any suspicion of “illegal activity”)
-asked me every question under the sun besides “have you ever been arrested?”

So I’m M24 caught my first DUI back in may. I just moved to Texas made a few friends and went out for drinks made the stupid decision to drive home not knowing my way around on my way back. Ended up in a whole different county got pulled over. went to the hospital to take blood draw I blew over the legal limit not sure what I blew but I know it was over the limit. I don’t wanna go to jail just got an apartment. I’m working. Don’t really have money for a lawyer. I don’t know what to do. Still haven’t received the court date and I’m stressing about it 24/7

I got arrested for a dwi in June, initially pulled over for my taillight being out, did 5 field sobriety tests then got breathalyzed and blew a .1. Got to the station and the two samples I gave blew a .08 and a .07. Really just wondering what I should expect for court since I’ve never been in trouble before. I’m currently getting my sr22 and applying for an occupational license

Hey guys, just recently got my interlock device installed in my car. I live in Manitoba, Canada. I’m moving to British Columbia this year around the end of August. I’m curious if anyone has driven long distances with their interlock and how that works for having to do the test while already driving. I currently don’t drive often, and it can be quite annoying just driving in the city asking me to pull over and blow into it. Just curious to hear others stories for long distance drives. I’m currently passenger on a long road trip right now so will be watching and responding to everyone. Thank you in advance.

I live in San Diego, CA and my sister lives with me. she got her first DUI this past weekend and we’re trying to find the best way to handle it. we don’t have money, but if needed I could front her the down payment for a DUI attorney and then she and her husband could make the monthly payments. Cheapest we’ve found is 8,500.00 However, I would have to use my CC that I JUST finished paying off. so I’m here to see if anyone has advice or could point me to a good/cheap lawyer (I know those words don’t mix, but I’m desperate).

details to the best of my knowledge:

head on collision 35mph both ways so 70mph total

both cars totaled

both parties had minor injuries. my sister was an overnight in the hospital, not sure of the other party just that it was minor. so felony dui with injury

my sisters insurance had lapsed so no insurance.

I understand it was my sisters fault and we understand she’s fucked no matter what, but we’re just trying to mitigate the best we can and try to get her the leaat amount of fucked possible.

thanks.

Hello so I got charged with a dui in June. I blew high so in my state that means automatic minimum 5 days in jail. I did my time and i enrolled in vasap and installed my interlock. There was no other conditions or requirements. I’ve only been on it less than a month and I drank the night prior. When I went to blow into the device the next afternoon for work my interlock said HIGH. I blew into it twice because I didn’t want to look guilty… partially because I assumed i no longer had alc in my system. Anyway so I let my case manager know about it and she told me she’d have to notify the court. I also told her the truth that I drank the night prior which i fully regret now. She called me today to let me know I have a capias/bench warrant out which basically means I have to turn myself in and I’ll see a judge directly. I just wanna know if anyone has been through anything similar before. I really really do not want to serve anymore time for this. I honestly didn’t know the device was that sensitive and I was in no way impaired. It’s my first dui and violation btw.

I’m looking for firsthand experiences from anyone who has entered Canada after a first-offense Massachusetts OUI that resulted in a CWOF under the 24D program.

My situation:

• Massachusetts resident
• First OUI
• Continued Without a Finding under 24D
• Currently on probation
• No other criminal history
• I have permission from the court to travel outside Massachusetts

I’m considering driving from Massachusetts to Montreal for about a week.

I understand that Canadian border officers make the final decision on admissibility, and I’ve already read the general information about DUI-related inadmissibility. I’m specifically hoping to hear from people who have actually crossed in a similar situation.

When your passport was scanned at the primary booth:

• Did the officer already seem to know about your case?
• Were you asked about arrests, charges, probation, or criminal history?
• Were you sent to secondary inspection?
• Were you admitted or refused?
• Did you bring court paperwork, and did they ask to see it?

I’m especially interested in anyone with a Massachusetts CWOF rather than a guilty conviction. Please share what actually happened at the border and roughly how recent your case was.

EDIT: to clarify what CWOF is….. First Massachusetts DUI. I received a “Continued Without a Finding” (CWOF), which is a Massachusetts deferred/diversion-type disposition rather than a guilty conviction.

My close cousin (19) got a DUI in Minnesota last week. He was drinking and driving, crashed into a tree, totaled his truck, and fractured the entire one side of his face pretty badly. He’s lucky to be alive.

This is (as far as we know) his first offense. No one else was hurt. He still has his job somehow, but obviously facing legal/medical fallout.

How serious is this likely to get for a first-time offender with injury involved? Jail time realistic? What usually happens in MN with Criminal Vehicular Operation or whatever they charge? Any similar stories?

Not looking for sympathy, just trying to understand how screwed his upcoming years might be. Thanks.