DUI Question

[tcpinckney]

OK, I was dumb and went out to the Circle-K a block from my house one night in March... It was a full moon, and I didn't realize i'd forgot to turn on my headlights... I don't normally drive under the influence, but my GF was feeding me tequilla shots, and it seemed so trivial to drive a block for some smokes. The cops pulled me over before I ever reaized my lites were off (30 seconds and I'd probably have realized)... They were right there.

So in Arizona, a DUI results in manditory jail time (Something I wasn't aware of since I'm from NY).

I took a plea bargain to reduce the charges, and will only need to spend 15 days in jail instead of 45, and can do the rest on a home arrest program. Otherwise I'd be in for 1.5 months.

Christ, this is my first offense ever... no harm done, no damage... how fair is that?

Then I found out today that they never even sent the blood sample in for testing, so their BAC numbers were just made up for the most part.

But I plead guilty based on what they told me and gave up my rights to appeal, etc.

This just sounds like dirty law, and I wonder if there is anything I can do at this point??

Please help if you have any experience in these kinds of matters.

My lawyer (****ty public defendent) said I didn't have any other options so I should take the plea... He also admitted that it's all about the money the state makes, not about the person.

What a screwed up system we have. Any advice or thoughts?

Tom

 

[Mass_Shyster]

My thoughts are that you should stop blaming others for your actions.

Your girlfriend did not make you commit a crime, the police officer who stopped you did not make you commit a crime, and your (underpaid) public defender did not make you commit a crime.

If you can prove that your attorney provided ineffective counsel, you can ask for a new trial. You don't get a public defender for that, so you'll have to pay an attorney to represent you.