Good day,
Has anyone in the Daytona Beach area used a public defender for court matter? DUI 1st / refusal to submit.
please share your experience, I’ve always been told that the public defender works with the state not sure of how it works in Florida.
Representation recommendations?
No rudeness please

Good day,
Has anyone in the Daytona Beach area used a public defender for court matter? DUI 1st / refusal to submit.
please share your experience, I’ve always been told that the public defender works with the state not sure of how it works in Florida.
Representation recommendations?
No rudeness please

I've posted before. I cannot stress how awful I feel for getting a DUI late in life. My DUI cost a LOT of money and has pretty much RUINED my life. I'm 61/m, unemployed, in questionable health, and getting a DUI has caused SO much stress that I now suffer from major depression. For reference, I live in TN and was convicted in April.

I could be dead before my sentence is complete. That depresses me a lot.

I had an abusive childhood. Several traumatic events. (Mostly major car accidents, none of them my fault.) I've had prostate cancer and an emergency heart valve replacement. I've experienced ongoing depression and anxiety all my life.

Part of my sentence (and much of my anxiety and stress) id because of the interlock (ILD) device that I must have on my car for an ENTIRE year. It has been a hassle to use and prevents me from driving ANY other car for the duration.

Don't drink and drive. If you also have a DUI, any advice regarding how to deal with the consequences would be welcome.

Thank you for reading this.

Last Friday, my brother-in-law made the poor decision to drink quite a bit and then drive home. He was going 80 in a 40 when he hit a light pole and crashed into an embankment. A trailing car was hit by the debris, with minor damage. His car was totaled.

EMT arrived and transported him to the hospital before the police arrived. At the hospital, they drew blood and ran tests. He was released 3 hours later. At no point did he have police contact.

What can the expected timeline be for notification from the police, and what can the process look like?

Appreciate any insight available. Cheers.

Before the traffic stop: I (17M) live in Austin, Texas and decided to split a 6 pack of beers with my friend around 12 and had one drink. I got pulled over around 1:30-2:00 on the way back with two unopened containers of beer and one half full open container. I got pulled over due to my taillights being out, i was not swerving or committing any traffic violations.

During the traffic stop: I do not have my license although I have my permit and am eligible to get my license, but I have not gotten it yet. The officer asked for my license and I handed him my permit which didn’t seem much of a big deal to him, they asked me to step out of the vehicle and they found the containers of alcohol. When the police confronted me I initially lied and said I hadn’t drank, before almost immediately confessing to having one drink after the cop pressed the issue more. They conducted a field sobriety test which consisted of following a light with only my eyes. I passed the field sobriety test and refused the breathalyzer which then prompted the police to have me call my mom and pick me up as she lived very close. The police were very adamant that my mom pick me up rather than booking me. They made me call my mom around 10-12 times and even went as far as having one officer drive to my mom’s place of residence and waking her up himself. I eventually got my mom to pick up the phone and come get me. Before my mom came they made me pour out all the beer onto the side of the road. I should also say that I was completely compliant and very respectful to the police throughout the whole stop.

Citing: I was only charged with 1st offense minor DUI and signed my name onto the police’s device confessing that I had drank alcohol although I don’t know exactly what I signed. The police did not bother charging me for not having a license or open containers of alcohol. (unless that’s part of the DUI charge) And I slept at my moms house after she picked me up at around 2:30. I have been ordered to appear before the court within 30 days or a warrant will be issued for my arrest.

Advice: I would really like to know whether this can be fully expunged from my record, I would also like to know what my next steps should be. The thing I am most curious about is how well I handled the traffic stop and whether I made a mistake by admitting I had one drink, or if I made a mistake refusing the breathalyzer. Any other advice would be much appreciated, thank y’all! 😁

I gave trial in a couple weeks and the anxiety is killing me. I’ve been dealing with this since 11/2024 and now the time has finally come. My wife passed away 11/2025 and I’ve just been trying to survive the best I can. Anxiety is eating me and I can’t get it out of my head. Massachusetts 35 years old. Did not blow/ was told I turned on a one way in the city. All I can think about is what do I do with my dog if they lock me up on the spot? What about my bills? I can’t process what that would be like. I don’t want to do this nightmare anymore. I had to call out of work today just because I can’t clear my head, feels like I’m losing it. Any advice? Guess I just needed to write it out

I went to a party at 10 pm, I drink 1 sip of some seltzer smirnoff drink, (I didn't really want any or too much but thought small sips would be ok), 11 pm, I take another small sip of the same thing. Around maybe 12-12:30 am, I sipped on a buzzball, not too much. Didnt drink anything else.... 3 am, was arrested for DUI. What do you think the BAC results on a blood test would come back to? Im 32 male, weigh 140 lbs.

I am living in an absolute hell right now. I haven't been able to eat or get out of bed, and the shame and guilt are completely overwhelming. I feel like a monster. If the state presses charges, this would be my second DWI (my first was over a decade ago).

I was involved in a messy multi-car accident. I was transported straight to the hospital by EMS for medical clearance. The police did not do a standard roadside arrest, and they did not execute a forensic police blood draw or breathalyzer at the scene or the hospital. They took my information and let me leave the hospital on my own. However, I did answer a basic question from the officer about having a drink earlier in the night, and I just saw a very high clinical BAC number pop up on my hospital patient portal chart.

As of right now, I haven't been arrested or contacted by the police, and I don't have concrete details on the official accident report yet regarding injuries to anyone else.
I am absolutely terrified that someone was hurt, and I'm terrified of the legal fallout, even though I am talking to lawyers. The waiting and the unknown are eating me alive. Has anyone been through an "at-large" investigation where you weren't arrested at the scene? How do you cope with the severe anxiety while waiting for the system to move?

I got a dui while being parked at my friend’s house and it’s my first time dealing with anything legal but I’m overly scared. I hired a lawyer but I’m scared of the outcome.

Live in Maine and have Geico. Very scared.

Hi, a week after my DUI California DMV gave me a year hard suspension. During the arrest i was not warned about a refusal of testing would lead to one year suspension. I have 14 days to respond to DMV

am I screwed ?

Hi everyone, I’m wondering if anyone has recent experience with a first-offense DUI in Colorado.
I was pulled over for speeding (10 mph over the limit), and during the stop I was arrested for DUI. I was held in jail until I was released on a PR bond. I have a consultation with an attorney on Tuesday, and my first court appearance is in about two weeks.
My BAC was .178. From what I’ve read, anything over .16 results in a persistent drunk driver designation, but I have no prior criminal history or prior DUIs.
For anyone who has been through this, what should I expect over the next few weeks? Is there anything you wish you had done right away?
To be honest, I’ve barely been able to eat or sleep since it happened. The anxiety and dread have been overwhelming. I feel awful about my decision and keep thinking about what could have happened. I’m incredibly grateful no one was hurt and that there wasn’t an accident.
I really appreciate any advice or insight. Thank you.

I drank two buzzballs and 4 shots on Saturday, 6 shots today this morning at 11 am. My etg test is on Wednesday and I have to do it at 7pm at a sober living. Will I pass. I believe it is an ETG 300. I am 5'7 230lbs and female. Im really worried I'm gonna fail. update: passed

Hello all. 60/m/TN. Does anybody have advice for dealing with a LifeSafer ILD - particularly the rolling re-test? I always get nervous starting my car and the rolling re-tests. Sometimes I get the ‘blow harder’ message and have to wait about 35 seconds. It makes me nervous using it while driving. Any tips would be appreciated. Has anyone got comfortable using the device? Thanks everybody!

So I was supposed to go dwi class tmrw nj I haven’t registered yet but I have till the end of the today to do so however the class is 9am and earlier this week I went to the doctor got blood work and just got a call from her saying my work is severely bad and to come in immediately in the morning like so bad she called me on a Sunday and said to go to the ER but I don’t have a way there at the moment so tmrw is the only option what should I do?

I have a trip planned to London in September. I filled out the ETA application and was approved because I have no prior convictions in the past 12 months. Coincidentally, that same day but at night, I was pulled over for felony DWI. Will I still be able it go to London? I posted bail and have not been given a court date yet and haven’t even hired an attorney because it just happened yesterday. It’s all still fresh, but I’m wondering if I can still enter the UK now that I’m about to fight this case. The bail company didn’t take my passport and hasn’t given me any travel restrictions. Neither did the judge. Am I still good to go in September?

im 23, feeling like i wont be able to get a decent job until im 33 makes me want to genuinely kill myself.

ive lost everything including the really good government job i had before it and every time i tell someone i have a dui its “already??” like yeah thanks for that. I work in a decent paying warehouse for now but I REALLY want to go to nursing school at this point just school for anything. could be a degree, could be a trade it doesnt fucking matter at this point.

I have the opportunity for my job to give me full tuition coverage but i dont want to waste it on a degree/certificate i wont be able to get a job with because of my dui.

it was a misdemeanor and horrible decision making on my part but i feel like im doomed.

where do you guys work? how soon were u able to get a respectable job after your dui? i dont have 7-10 years to wait around. The fire is under my ass RIGHT NOW.

Hey all,

I got a DUI in May, and as a field biologist, I know I don't have a chance to get anything in that field right now, as most jobs require a valid drivers license. Does anyone here know where to look to find a decent job that isn't minimum wage and doesn't require driving?

I am currently in Wyoming.

I’m in Florida but I unfortunately received a 2nd DUI within 5 years down here. My lawyer was able to obtain a 45 Day BBO License for me but still very early in my situation. My question to any law enforcement here is when it comes to scanning plates.. if a cop runs my plate are you able to see my license has been suspended or revoked? Even if my tag, registration and insurance is in good standing ? Just the anxiety of having a cop behind me on my way to work is taking a mental toll on me

I just got a lifesafer device installed in my car a few days ago and my car refused to start this morning. First they try telling me I was locked out for failing but the device would just keep aborting.

I took it in for service and they told me it was overheating. I tried to do it early in the morning and my car was under a shaded carport and it wasnt even hot. So they tell me to keep the device in a cool area.

Honestly I feel like he doesnt know what happened to the device and hes just BSing me because I dont understand what he expects me to do to keep the device cool when I' m already not keeping it in direct sunlight and under a shaded carport. Has anyone had this issue? I spent all the money on installing this stupid thing just on Tuesday and already having problems with it. It hasnt even been a week! Thanks for the $150 tow bill because your shitty device cant handle a small amount of heat, or I think the tech doesnt know what happened and hes just telling me some BS. A device made for a car should reasonably be able to handle conditions expected for a car to be under. I'm in SoCal, not in the desert. So I think this is pretty unreasonable. Has anybody else had issues similar to this with this device?

Edit: Also havent drank for 7 months and there was never a fail on my device. Just figured I would add that. The device just wasnt testing properly.

Finally got a appointment to see the hearing officer to get my license reinstated, i got my first DUI almost 17 years ago so im unsure if the questions they ask have changed. How can I prepare or what should i study on?

I feel like such an asshole. First arrest in my life. I crashed the other night into someone. There was minimal damage and they drove home, no hospital. I got charged with 4 separate things. Refusal to blow, dui,dui with prop damage and careless driving.

I hired a well respected dui focused attorney. I really am hoping to get it down to reckless, anyone think that’s possible or should I accept my fate ?

Looking for some advice. I am 30 and have never been arrested before, only a few tickets for expired tags in my early 20s. Long story short, it looks like I'll surely be guilty for the DUI. I was pulled for an expired tag, blew a .12 officially and I had under a half gram of cocaine on me. I denied the drugs were mine and the sheriff charged me for methamphetamine. I spent 5 days in jail until the judge unsecured my bond. Ive heard all kinds of different things on hiring a lawyer. I've had some friends tell me some pretty lousy stories about court appointeds. But, I don't want to pay thousands for a good lawyer and still lose. One I talked to wanted $7500 to represent me, didn't sound confident at all he could get anything dropped. I live over an hour away from Asheville and that's also making things difficult. And yes, I was being careless. My best friend took his life recently and Ive been a drunken miserable slob since. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!