Is going to court scary?

Question

oh god. If you read my question on my DUI charge, you will know. Im FRIGGEN 17!!!!!!!

if you read my PREVIOUS question, you will know i was wrongly fed alcohol. It was a big suprise for me to learn i was over the limit.

city girl, you are a *****. Is it so hard to believe that some fool put vodka in the pineapple punch which all the designated drivers were drinking from? I know it may be hard to believe, but this is what happened. It is not in any way my faullt. I did not feel at all drunk and i could not taste it as the pineapple was strong. And i asked the birthday girl's mum, who made it, said NO IT WAS NOT ALCOHOLIC.
i could not even afford to bring my own lemonade, and i was thirsty from dancing all night.
You all just do not get it do you.

Answer 1

Dear Shaina,

I know, when I was your age, I was intimidated by the court room environment. It is not, unusual, for the youthful and uninitiated.

However, I confronted my fears. The many motor vehicle citations, I received as a young man, became an opportunity for personal growth. I made the courtroom my classroom. It was a place, where I developed poise and public speaking skills.

I recommend, you attend a number of court sessions prior to your court date. See, if you can make it there once a week. Watch the trials, and the proceedings. Don't hesitate, to ask one of the defense attorneys a question. Many, are quite friendly and helpful. You may, even have the opportunity, to discuss your case with one of them. They will appreciate, you are taking the time to learn how the system works.

I wish you the best,

Larry

Answer 2

I don't feel sorry for DUI drivers, sorry. My best friend was hit head on and killed instantly a little over a year ago, and all she was out doing was coming home from work. I miss her. I feel guilty for getting up everyday and living my life knowing she's no longer here enjoying her life. I have a family, she doesn't. I got married, she never will. I had 2 children, her dream was to adopt and give needly children a lovong home, she never got to do. Down frown, the guy that was under DUI was only 19, and he died later the same night in the hospital. I'm still angry. Know why? Because she died instantly, when he got several more hours of life than she did, wasn't right. Nobody will ever tell me it was her time to go, not at 32. I'll never be the same person ever again in my life, it justs cut me a bit to deep and I cannot heal. Have been trying over a year now to heal and I think the cut has just gotten deeper. I'm very sorry, but people deserve hard sentences on the first time offenses, BEFORE they rob someone innocent of they're lives. This about killed her Mom as well, because her Husband, my friends Dad, died just a year before. You have no idea. A big part of me died with her, it's just gone and I feel so empty inside. Do me a favor, learn from your mistakes, and don't do it again, please.

Answer 3

I agree with the answer about the woman whose best friend got killed by a drunk driver. There is no excuse for it. You may not have known alcohol was put in your drink, but you did know that you were not yourself after awhile of drinking. Age is not an issue when it comes to drinking and driving and you will most likely be charged as an adult, and for first offense you will get a day in jail, plus having to complete DUI classes and your drivers license suspended for whatever amount of time a first offense gets.

Answer 4

Okay... Im assuming it was alcohol, and if it wasnt then replace the alcohol, and drinking with the appropriate thing. Now...1) What the hell are you doing drinking? AND driving no less. You shouldnt be touching alcohol till the legal age, so expect to get that from the court. All drinking at a young age will do is impair your judgement (especially with sex and boys... God knows it did with me), and cause problems WAY later in life that youll regret. 2) have you read the statisics on people killed by drinking and driving? Both the drivers and others? TOO MANY... drinking and driving is the most irresponsible thing a person can do. You are beind the wheel of one of the most powerful inventions ever created, and you arent even sober! You are putting others at risk, including yourself. Babies ride in cars too... not just adults, and they are killed just as easy. Its easy to shrug something like that off, until youve either killed someone or had someone killed by drinking and driving 3)From drinking and driving you can expect to pay a fine either now or when you turn 18... its called the Drivers Responsiblity Charge... or something to that effect. It was just in TX, but I think they made it nation-wide now. They fine you 360 some-odd dollars a year for THREE YEARS!!!! for: a)DUI, b)no insurance, or c) no drivers license. If you dont pay it then they suspend your drivers license causing you to get ANOTHER fine if you get busted driving on a suspended license. Now if you dont have a license either then be prepared for a double fine, and if you had no insurance.... yep... you guessed it... a triple fine. If youre lucky the judge wont fine your parents until youre old enough to accept it yourself, or that he/she doesnt give them one too on top of yours for being negligent. And yes... parents are responsible for their kids up to a certain age... most of the time its until theyre 18.

I got the thing for no insurance, when I had insurance, but the agent didnt post my payment until later that afternoon when I got pulled over in the morning. And with that fine they suspend your license THE DAY its considered late!

The judge will probably make you feel really bad, and/or make you cry... which is a good thing. Youre not supposed to enjoy going to court... youre supposed to NOT wanna go back... get the picture? So take my advice, consider this a lesson well learned, and lay off the alcohol for a few years, and when you do drink make sure you dont drive. Taxis are great for those tipsy moments in life when a designated driver isnt handy. Have a DD lined up for the night, before you even go out to drink. Keep money on you at parties and clubs just in case!

Answer 5

Yes, I have found court frightening every time I have been there. I've had to go in for family law stuff, no criminal problems. It's still scary though because you don't know who the judge will believe. They tend to be skeptical of ALL stories brought before them, or, if you're very "lucky" like I have been, you'll get a judge who favors men over women.

I think the whole legal system in this country is pretty messed up. People say it works, but it doesn't. It seems to only make lawyers rich in certain parts of the country.

Answer 6

In most US States DUI (And MIP) are crimes of strict liability. That means if you were driving and were over the legal limit (which is 'zero' if you're 17) then you're guilty.

The fact that you didn't know you were drinking isn't a defense to the crime. (It's like "I didn't know she was 17" isn't a defense to statutory rape)

Your best bet is to get a good lawyer and hope the judge can be pursuaded that you're telling the truth, and be willing to dismiss the case "in the interests of justice".

Richard

Answer 7

If you have a DUI then I hope u get what u deserve which would be jail time


OH wrongly fed alcohol oh yeah I hate when that happens...Like when I drink hard lemonade

Answer 8

You will get a good talking to,and be fined, & disqualified for driving and just heed warning that if caught again you will serve time...if not it will be years before licensed again,,
Not knowing is no excuse you must have had some inkling,courts are not idiots..LOL ♥

Answer 9

It can't be that bad, don't worry about it. There is alot of that going on and it was unfortunate to get caught. It's illegal until you're caught lol.