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I just got my first ever D.U.I...first time in jail, ever. :(

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May16

Member
Driving drunk, for starters.

They can pull you over if they have a reasonable suspicion that you're doing something wrong.

Right, but I'm not talking about that alone. This sounds like a legit pulling over and there was obviously something illegal going on. I'm not challenging that.

I'm not talking about the pullover being justified, I mean that if a one gets pulled over because of odd behavior leading to officer suspicion rather than pulled over being pulled over due to officer witnessing a direct traffic violation, it can have an impact on the ruling. It can make it easier to talk a judge into not handing down license points or suspensions.

It's a fine line that I'm talking about.

OP said:
I guess part of the issue the other night is I worry about others more than my own well-being.
You sound like you have a real tough time asking for help (didn't ask for a phone call in jail, didn't want to bother someone to come pick you up, etc.) Work on that.
 

CLEEK

Member
Why didn't you just call a taxi?
I have no fucking clue how to do that.

This is the most stupid thing I've ever read on GAF, which is saying something. I have zero respect for you, OP. You endangered everyone else on the road because of your complete ignorance about something so basic.

Did you ask anyone for a taxi number? Did you try flagging one down? Don't you have a phone? I would be amazed if the bar you were at didn't have fliers for taxi companies. More to the point, if you'd told the people working at the bar you were too drunk to drive, I'm sure they'd have called a taxi for you. God damn.
 
I talked to the girl I was with, and I was upset with her a bit but I didn't blame her or anything since ultimately I made the decision. Still though, I'm wary of ever talking to her again---I recently got talked into her to give 50 bucks to a friend of hers for a bill, and especially now I regret doing that because I have a sinking feeling she was lying. I don't think she's a completely horrible person, but based on the situation with her boyfriend, she's not the greatest person when it comes to fiscal responsibility.

But, yeah, this is definitely new territory for me and is frightening. The biggest shame is back in College, I used to be the very over-protective one when it came to making sure folks were okay and looking out for others. I guess part of the issue the other night is I worry about others more than my own well-being.

I'll be honest (because I know you don't want people to sugar coat it), but to me this sounds like you rationalizing being a pushover.

This woman not only ditched you twice, left you visibly drunk to fend for yourself, swindled you out of $50, and you think she's not a "completely horrible person". This isn't the behavior of someone who is over-protective and cares more about others than himself, this is the behavior of someone who has issues standing up for himself, saying "no" and calling out bullshit, and is hiding those issues by convincing himself that he is actively choosing to BE pushed over because he actually truly cares about everyone and anyone.

I'm not saying you're not a kind person, nor do I think you don't genuinely want people to be OK. But I think your confidence issues are not going to improve if you don't stop conflating "I'm letting people push me over" for "I'm willingly putting others above myself". You want to give yourself a bit of power by saying you're actively choosing to help people, when in reality people are just taking advantage of you ultimately whether you "chose" to or not.

I'm also not saying this just to trash-talk you. This is something that, imho, is a big part of why you ended up with a DUI in the first place. It sounds to me like a string of people making shitty decisions for you and you just going along saying OK. While I do believe you are a compassionate individual, I don't think that has any relevance to what happened that night. You didn't let her drink despite being the DD, continue to buy her drinks on your tab, let her ditch you twice, and not called a cab or find any other way home because you cared about others.
 

n0razi

Member
i think your biggest mistake was crying in jail and getting the sharks all over you.... just enjoy your time there since your stuck there anyways for a bit

my best advice is to cough up for a good lawyer, you will be getting hundreds of DUI ads in the mail soon... it makes a big difference down the line
 
FYI as a former cop... If you pull over to sleep and are drunk, pull your keys out of the ignition and throw them on the seat or you can still be processed as drunk driving
 

BigDug13

Member
This is the most stupid thing I've ever read on GAF, which is saying something. I have zero respect for you, OP. You endangered everyone else on the road because of your complete ignorance about something so basic.

Did you ask anyone for a taxi number? Did you try flagging one down? Don't you have a phone? I would be amazed if the bar you were at didn't have fliers for taxi companies. More to the point, if you'd told the people working at the bar you were too drunk to drive, I'm sure they'd have called a taxi for you. God damn.

Even more, does the OP have a phone capable of downloading apps? Uber, Lyft, Sidecar? You don't even need to fucking dial a phone number.
 
I didn't mean for the thread to sound callous, as in I was planning to do this again. In fact I have no urge to drink alcohol for quite awhile at all, I don't think I was exactly an alcoholic as I only drank with my friends, and sometimes with my parents, but never at home and it never effected my job or schooling. Still though, recently I'd been drinking a bit more, and I think I should probably back off of it, even when this is all over. It's really the one vice I have---I'm a very healthy eater, and regularly exercise (the one thing I can be proud of is that I'm well fit and healthy), but the alcohol was giving me stomach issues and I noticed I was breaking out as well.

And I admit, at first I was more concerned with the immediate ramifications I'd face when I posted this more than how bad I risked my life and others. I think I deserve the critical posts in this thread, and I'm glad you guys aren't going easy on me. I was always afraid of getting caught more than really hurting anyone, because I never thought I'd really get into this situation---but in all honesty, I should consider myself extremely lucky. And I'm really sorry for making this all about my issues---fact is, I'm better than I'd been in the past when I tried to kill myself, and my life is fairly decent despite my social and career failings. I don't really take the time to appreciate that as much as I should, but today I was just happy to go to work, come home, and spend time with my family.

I talked to the girl I was with, and I was upset with her a bit but I didn't blame her or anything since ultimately I made the decision. Still though, I'm wary of ever talking to her again---I recently got talked into her to give 50 bucks to a friend of hers for a bill, and especially now I regret doing that because I have a sinking feeling she was lying. I don't think she's a completely horrible person, but based on the situation with her boyfriend, she's not the greatest person when it comes to fiscal responsibility.

But, yeah, this is definitely new territory for me and is frightening. The biggest shame is back in College, I used to be the very over-protective one when it came to making sure folks were okay and looking out for others. I guess part of the issue the other night is I worry about others more than my own well-being.



As in, like never ever? Even for a misdemeanor?
Appreciating all the good you have is important to remember in bad times. Did you listen to the advice about getting therapy for your mental health issues (self-esteem, confidence, being a pushover, suicide attempts, turning to drink for social occasions, etc) that probably led to this situation? I'm at least glad to hear that you've still got a job and life is stable.
 
As someone who has lost a very close friend because of a drunk driver I can only hope this was a wake up call for you. It's so infuriating knowing that you willingly chose to endanger the lives of everyone else on the road because you didn't want to call home. Jesus christ man, wtf.
 

Evo X

Member
2BXii54.jpg
 
I got a OWI (operating while intoxicated) .. which is basically the same fines and everything but looks better on your record i guess.

At a party, a friend and I go smoke outside but it being winter in Michigan it's cold as fuck. Hop in my car and blast the heat. 5 minutes later a cop rolls up and busts me. I get arrested for the night. Car towed.. 2000$ fines.. a bunch of classes.. 25 hours community service.. and 1 year suspension of my license.. and I had to pay another 1000$ to the state for driver responsibility.

Most expensive cigarette ever

And the cop said I would've been fine if the keys weren't in the ignition
 

openrob

Member
there are people who drive cars that don't give a SHIT about the safety of others. Fuck those two posters for thinking this is normal, seriously, you guys are fucks.

Why thank you

For the record, I lost my licence for reasons other than drink driving. And I don't condone it. But the OP is less about the incident and more about feeling like shit at the minute - no one was hurt.

In life you learn from your mistakes, move on, and laugh at how much of an idiot you once were. You don't spiral into depression about it.
 

Christopher

Member
I got a OWI (operating while intoxicated) .. which is basically the same fines and everything but looks better on your record i guess.

At a party, a friend and I go smoke outside but it being winter in Michigan it's cold as fuck. Hop in my car and blast the heat. 5 minutes later a cop rolls up and busts me. I get arrested for the night. Car towed.. 2000$ fines.. a bunch of classes.. 25 hours community service.. and 1 year suspension of my license.. and I had to pay another 1000$ to the state for driver responsibility.

Most expensive cigarette ever

And the cop said I would've been fine if the keys weren't in the ignition

Excessive but money means nothing if that lesson saved your life or someone else's as I assume you won't do this again
 

minx

Member
FYI as a former cop... If you pull over to sleep and are drunk, pull your keys out of the ignition and throw them on the seat or you can still be processed as drunk driving

I suppose it depends by state but you still don't even want to do this. At least in Illinois that law states that you only have to be in physical control or have the physical capability to operate the vehicle. This includes sleeping in the back seat and having the keys in the glove box or anywhere near the vehicle. We were told that if they know where to keys are at in the immediate vicinity that they have the physical capacity to drive and can arrest for DUI. Now would that be an asshole move to do something like that? IMO Yes. So my advice would be to hide the keys outside the car and tell the officer you don't know where the are at if they ask.
 

Sanjuro

Member
I suppose it depends by state but you still don't even want to do this. At least in Illinois that law states that you only have to be in physical control or have the physical capability to operate the vehicle. This includes sleeping in the back seat and having the keys in the glove box or anywhere near the vehicle. We were told that if they know where to keys are at in the immediate vicinity that they have to physical capacity to drive and can arrest for DUI. Now would that be an asshole move to do something like that? IMO Yes. So my advice would be to hide the keys outside the car and tell the officer you don't know where the are at if they ask.

It's pretty much up to the area and the officer. Walking home drunk can get you slapped with public intoxication.
 

Resilient

Member
Why thank you

For the record, I lost my licence for reasons other than drink driving. And I don't condone it. But the OP is less about the incident and more about feeling like shit at the minute - no one was hurt.

In life you learn from your mistakes, move on, and laugh at how much of an idiot you once were. You don't spiral into depression about it.


In life you accidentally a DUI and potentially injure yourself or somebody else due to your inability to be a responsible adult and not drive when hammered.

xQXGhEM.gif


When you become an adult you get DUIs

xQXGhEM.gif


Because no one was hurt we should coddle the OP

xQXGhEM.gif


I'm not saying we should berate the OP, but trying to blow it off as a mistake is arguably worse than condoning. We should definitely not be playing down the severity of driving while drunk just to make somebody feel better. Sorry guys, but wrong way to go about it.
 

Sanjuro

Member
Yes. Don't berate people, but call them fucks.

The poster is getting largely healthy advice. You are just piling on.
 
In life you accidentally a DUI and potentially injure yourself or somebody else due to your inability to be a responsible adult and not drive when hammered.

xQXGhEM.gif


When you become an adult you get DUIs

xQXGhEM.gif


Because no one was hurt we should coddle the OP

xQXGhEM.gif


I'm not saying we should berate the OP, but trying to blow it off as a mistake is arguably worse than condoning. We should definitely not be playing down the severity of driving while drunk just to make somebody feel better. Sorry guys, but wrong way to go about it.
yeah the DUI defense force in this thread is uh.. concerning
jugg-dizzy.gif

"eyo shit happens lol everybody drives drunk yolo"
thinking.gif
 

Paracelsus

Member
It's good enough that you're back safe and you did no harm to anybody plus all the sulking. At least you didn't keep driving with a suspended license after getting DUIed because you literally couldn't care less, getting your car a six month administrative detention time period after they caught you.
Not me, my at the time sixty year old father. He was sober when they caught him again but nonetheless he was an ass.
 

Siegcram

Member
Yes. Don't berate people, but call them fucks.

The poster is getting largely healthy advice. You are just piling on.
"DUIs are part of growing up." isn't healthy advice. You acting indignant about people calling you on your BS is beyond absurd.
 

Sanjuro

Member
"DUIs are part of growing up." isn't healthy advice. You acting indignant about people calling you on your BS is beyond absurd.

Yeah, I don't think I suggested that to the OP. I made a comment towards posters telling him to grow up. It's a common phrase, just sounds dumb.
 
OP, the drunk driving basically makes you a scumbag, taking those risks with other people's loved ones is unacceptable. You're lucky you didn't maim or kill someone. You think you feel bad about yourself now?

You need to make sure this never happens again, be a better person and guarantee it.

You need to work on that excuse-making though. Face up to your horrible actions, realise that you are responsible for them but also realise that you can be responsible for good decisions- ones that value your life, your time, the people you say you care about.

We don't choose our circumstances, but the rest is on you. Don't let that hold you down, let it empower you.

Is this the best version of you? No? Then show us and show the world.
 

Resilient

Member
yeah the DUI defense force in this thread is uh.. concerning
jugg-dizzy.gif

"eyo shit happens lol everybody drives drunk yolo"
thinking.gif

Yeah, concerning isn't it.."To everyone telling the OP to grow up. Do you know what happens when you grow up? You get DUIs."
thinking.gif
thinking.gif


Yeah, I don't think I suggested that to the OP. I made a comment towards posters telling him to grow up. It's a common phrase, just sounds dumb.

You back pedalling is entertaining, but if you're trying to say it was a poor choice of words, it was.
 
lol, people still lecturing the OP 3 days later. Like your life lessons matter at this point.

And what exactly the fuck did you bring? Bland semi-approval or just indifference?

If this line of discussion (or the scale of the consensus) makes you uncomfortable then you might wanna think on that.

Also, the OP is still participating so your comments ring hollow.
 

Liamario

Banned
Dude, stop feeling sorry for yourself. I get that you are in a less than happy situation, but sulking about it isn't going to help.
You're lucky you didn't hit someone with your car, straight away thing are looking up for you.
Try not to dwell on the things that you're unhappy about and focus on the things you are happy about. Your life isn't over, you just took a wrong turn.

PS

DON'T FUCKING DRINK AND DRIVE!!! YOUR PROBLEMS DON'T SUPERSEDE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE!
 
And what exactly the fuck did you bring? Bland semi-approval or just indifference?

If this line of discussion (or the scale of the consensus) makes you uncomfortable then you might wanna think on that.

Also, the OP is still participating so your comments ring hollow.

Just a passing observation. Sorry, didn't mean to offend, buddy.
 

Sanjuro

Member
Yeah, concerning isn't it.."To everyone telling the OP to grow up. Do you know what happens when you grow up? You get DUIs."
thinking.gif
thinking.gif




You back pedalling is entertaining, but if you're trying to say it was a poor choice of words, it was.

Not back pedalling. The phrase is still pretty empty in this case, but if you are hung up on that then not sure what to say.

You should just stop drinking entirely forever. It's a waste of time, money, and it can lead to some terrible situations like this. Not worth it at all.

Also, possibly this.
 

Siegcram

Member
So, it's healthy advice according to you? Hmm.
Given we're talking about a 25-year old who chose drunk driving over calling a cab as to not upset his parents ... yeah, kinda. And it's undeniable more useful than "psh, DUIs just happen, man. Move on and look back on it as a funny anecdote."
 
You should just stop drinking entirely forever. It's a waste of time, money, and it can lead to some terrible situations like this. Not worth it at all.
Or get some self control
A lot of people drink and dont get in trouble because of it
 

OEM

Member
Things could have been worse, A LOT WORSE.

So be glad and you will be fine. At least now you know that you should have called cab.
 
she had sobered up, while I hadn't...

First I want to address this point, do a lot of Americans think that you can sober up and not be drunk while on a night out that included multiple drinks and shots? I get that impression because a lot of american stuff I see on TV or online seems to have Americans drinking in bars and driving home regardless.

Neither of you had sobered up, neither of you should be anywhere near a car.

You talk of respecting your parents, in a situation like this showing respect would be getting a taxi home, not driving drunk.

OP I feel bad for you, you made a stupid mistake, you need to just own up to that fact accept whatever punishment and move on. Let this situation motivate you, don't let it define you.
 

Maximo

Member
He's sharing personal information to the forum which makes him vulnerable, in an attempt to cope with and learn from a serious mistake. He's explaining why it happened, which doesn't need to be taken inherently as deferring responsibility or fishing for sympathy posts. He didn't go "LA LA LA I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WOO DRUNK DRIVING IS FUN," he was inexperienced with dealing with being downtown drunk by himself with his car, had an anxiety attack and didn't think clearly, and let himself get intoxicated enough that his previously established conditions for going out that night with his car got thrown out. This is because drinking causes you to make really stupid decisions that you wouldn't otherwise make, and it usually takes experience in hindsight with how you handle your drinking to know when you need to cut yourself off for the night and also overcome whatever your inebriation is telling you is okay in the moment.

Drunk driving is not good. No qualifiers. Lots of tragedy results from it and as an adult with awareness of this, with a sound mind it should be an easy enough thing to weigh against some inconveniences with your social life on a Friday night. Bottom line, though, is that if you don't live in an area with infrastructure set up to handle everyone's safe return from nightlife to home, drunk people will make stupid impulsive decisions en masse and drive back intoxicated, because the point of alcohol is to make you irrational and impulsive.

He's a fallible human being, like we all are. His intent matters here, which he shared in vivid detail, and whether he takes responsibility and doesn't let it happen again matters more, which remains to be seen, but given the length of the OP I think he's taking it seriously. A ton of drive-by posts attacking him with holier than thou attitudes about the concept of driving drunk is obnoxious and immature and pointless in itself. Most of us probably know someone who has died or been killed by a drunk driver. He made a mistake, an unacceptable but very common one, and is owning up to it. Now he has a wake up call and a record, and fortunately no one was hurt in the process. That's a good starting point for cleaning up this mess, probably highlighting the importance of sound mental health and seeing someone to help with his anxiety issues, and to mature overall. The OP doesn't diminish his character to me. It's what happens next that matters.
Great fucking post and sums up my thoughts well.
 
He's sharing personal information to the forum which makes him vulnerable, in an attempt to cope with and learn from a serious mistake. He's explaining why it happened, which doesn't need to be taken inherently as deferring responsibility or fishing for sympathy posts. He didn't go "LA LA LA I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WOO DRUNK DRIVING IS FUN," he was inexperienced with dealing with being downtown drunk by himself with his car, had an anxiety attack and didn't think clearly, and let himself get intoxicated enough that his previously established conditions for going out that night with his car got thrown out. This is because drinking causes you to make really stupid decisions that you wouldn't otherwise make, and it usually takes experience in hindsight with how you handle your drinking to know when you need to cut yourself off for the night and also overcome whatever your inebriation is telling you is okay in the moment.

Drunk driving is not good. No qualifiers. Lots of tragedy results from it and as an adult with awareness of this, with a sound mind it should be an easy enough thing to weigh against some inconveniences with your social life on a Friday night. Bottom line, though, is that if you don't live in an area with infrastructure set up to handle everyone's safe return from nightlife to home, drunk people will make stupid impulsive decisions en masse and drive back intoxicated, because the point of alcohol is to make you irrational and impulsive.

He's a fallible human being, like we all are. His intent matters here, which he shared in vivid detail, and whether he takes responsibility and doesn't let it happen again matters more, which remains to be seen, but given the length of the OP I think he's taking it seriously. A ton of drive-by posts attacking him with holier than thou attitudes about the concept of driving drunk is obnoxious and immature and pointless in itself. Most of us probably know someone who has died or been killed by a drunk driver. He made a mistake, an unacceptable but very common one, and is owning up to it. Now he has a wake up call and a record, and fortunately no one was hurt in the process. That's a good starting point for cleaning up this mess, probably highlighting the importance of sound mental health and seeing someone to help with his anxiety issues, and to mature overall. The OP doesn't diminish his character to me. It's what happens next that matters.

I think this post needs to continue to be highlighted. For the OPs sake, and for everyone else in this thread.
 

SeanR1221

Member
Even with self control it's still a waste of time and money.

You know some people actually enjoy the taste of alcohol, or like how alcohol pairs with food. Not to mention to social aspects of drinking.

What a strange perspective.
 

Machine

Member
Even with self control it's still a waste of time and money.

Most of the stuff people discuss on NeoGAF can be described as a waste of time and/or money if you get down to it: videogames, drinking, smoking pot, following sports, collecting things, etc. You should just be a humorless drone that works and sleeps and does nothing else.
 
I know GAF highly disapproves of this, but last night I got my first D.U.I.

For the last two and a half years, I've basically been socially dead---I go to work, come home, etc. Nobody I know from High School or College want anything to do with me it seems, so I was always alone. In January I struck up a brief online relationship with a girl, but that ended suddenly without any response from her. Finally, though, a few weeks ago a guy from work asked me to hang out with him and his girlfriend, and I actually got over my anxiety and had a blast. Since then, I've been going out every weekend---something I really haven't done since College, and things were moving really fast for me. I always feel like I need to drink around them to be interesting and worth hanging out with, and I've been getting really wild lately. Thankfully, I've always rode with them home as they're far more responsible when it comes to alcohol and don't have a low tolerance like me...

Last night, me and the girl hung out since he was working, and went downtown. The plan was this---I drive up, but she'd drive back since she wasn't gonna drink much. I didn't plan on drinking much either, but about an hour after we got to the club she just left---went to see another friend for a few minutes at another bar (ended up an hour almost), and left me alone at a bar which is the most embarrassing thing in the world for me. I couldn't be mad though---I mean, she's not my girlfriend, but I got really upset and worried people would think I was pathetic, so I drank a lot to ease my embarrassment. She finally came back, and we did shots---and then more, at her urge, and using my money. Honestly, this is a reoccurring pattern with her, but I'm too much of a coward to call her out on it and say no, like I said I feel like I'd lose my friends if I say no or let them down. Right before the bar was gonna close, she had sobered up, while I hadn't...and then told me another friend was taking her home, so I was basically on my own. She asked if that was okay, but in a half-hearted way and she really didn't seem to care about my well-being. I panicked---I knew I couldn't drive, and didn't know what to do. My parents are very protective since I live at home with them, and in the past had two suicide attempts---I wasn't thinking straight, and didn't want to call for help from them or get taken home in a taxi because I was terrified I'd upset them and they'd freak out and wouldn't let me go out. I mean, I'm 25, they can't stop me, but you know, I still show them respect since I live under their roof. And I don't have a lot of friends, so I didn't know who else to call.

I stupidly thought I'd be able to manage getting home, but ended up getting lost---finally I made it back to a place I recognized, and just wanted to pull over and call for help, when I got pulled over by a cop. He'd seen me driving around in circles, and so I got hit with a DUI because I was intoxicated. Terrified, I went to jail and spent 13 hours there---they didn't offer me a phone, and I was terrified to ask. My family and work all thought I was dead because no one knew where I was. The other people in the jail were yelling crazy "I'm gonna rape you stuff!" and other threats at me too because I was crying and they could tell they were getting to me, luckily they moved me to a cell away from that, but then I was basically left at the edge of the hall where no guard ever walked past, so I couldn't ask if I could call my parents or when I was getting out.

And---here I am. I fucked up big time. I've made mistakes in my life---plenty of them---but this is the first major legal one. Most of the mistakes I make are me messing up friendships due to anxiety and fear of losing friends, having issues at work, etc. At this point in my life, I was already at my lowest. A dead-end job, no friends (and now that I fucked things up, I don't want to hang out with those people again because they enable me I feel), live with my parents, etc., and now add the probable 1-year suspended license which is gonna destroy any hopes I had of finally moving out or getting a better job. I'm 25, live with my parents, won't have a license, and work at a grocery store. I'm literally trash. The only positive thing I have going for me is I recently got into learning Japanese which is the one bright-spot and goal I have at the moment, but even with that I'm doubting if I have the capability to learn the language as I've hit a wall in my studies. I just don't know what to do now...I'll be almost 27 before I can drive again.

Wow... Where should I start. First of all... I feel that you are really hard on yourself. You really should have more confidence in yourself. Second, I think thos people you are hanging with are not good for you. I know that sucks because it seems like you just want some friends to hang with... but this almost seems like they are using you (particulary her).
As for the DUI... its a big deal, but as long as you dont have past issues.. you will get thru this. At least you learned a lesson. Best of luck OP... and try and find some better friends! Oh, and dont drink and drive... stay off the roads!
 
Excessive but money means nothing if that lesson saved your life or someone else's as I assume you won't do this again

I wasn't leaving the party. I don't drive while intoxicated. We only hopped in the car cause it felt like it was below 0 degrees and we wanted heat.
 

Risible

Member
I think this post needs to continue to be highlighted. For the OPs sake, and for everyone else in this thread.

I think most people aren't jumping on the OP but rather the DUI defense force coming in and saying things like "When you grow up you get DUIs" and "Think of it as an adventure." I mean come on, there's no defending statements like that and they should be called out as asinine and dangerous.
 
Be glad you didnt hurt anyone dude. My buddy got a felony DUI because he ran into someone one his way home and injured them.

Could be much much worse.
 
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