Why are former DWI offenders in this room?

[justsomeguy]

I'm just curious about this...

I read a post earlier about people that have actually been convicted in the past of dwi, and everything is all over.. but yet.. they are still in here and talking about it.

I'm just curious about how it's affected you guys..

Personally.. .my court date is still coming so I can't speak totally about it, except to say that I think about it.. every day. In alot of ways I'm thankful that I was just pulled over and not involved in an accident or god forbid hurt someone. I don't know what I would do if I hurt someone because of me stupidity.

I'm just wondering if I can expect to be on these forums for the rest of my days, I check them every day now because it affects me, after it doesn't ... I guess I will still be here as a reminder. I'm just wondering about everyone else.

My best friend told me something I will take with me recently when I was complaining about my stupidity involving my dwi. He said that if a Man makes a mistake once it's a mistake, if he makes it again... it's a character flaw. I will never make this mistake again.

Just wondering everyones thoughts?

[SillyPuddy]

Because I've been through the process, and can speak for how things really work.

[BigMistakeFl]

Like Silly above, I like to help others when my experience can be useful. I also remember how scary it is and how serious the depression can be throughout. So if I can find a link and post it as an answer, I'm happy to do that.

Also, coming to this forum, reading the posts each morning keeps the memory of the whole DUI experience very fresh to me, which is a great reminder why never to repeat it again, in addition to the danger to others. Many of the posts sound alike, "I only had three beers; no way I was drunk; the cops were out to get me; help me find a loophole" etc.

[garrula lingua]

Both the above posters, Silly and BigM have helped many people.

Their postings are very helpful and most important, come from the heart.
I think there's a lot to the idea 'been there; done that' & sharing it with others to help them. (That's what life's about).
'Hard knocks' teaches better than any school/court.

I think they help many posters & readers, even in understanding, and dealing, within the system, with DUI offenders.

[BL]

FreeAdvice Forums are intended to enable consumers to benefit from the experience of other consumers who have faced similar legal issues. FreeAdvice does NOT vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any posting or the qualifications of any person responding

If you have many DWI / DUI convictions , or even arrest , you've got more than a character flaw , you've got a drinking problem . That's why upon conviction most it is mandatory to take a drinking driving defensive course . If you fail the Course you will NOT get your full license restored and you most likely will have to " Successfully " complete some kinda of alcohol abuse treatment program .

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by Blonde Lebinese

FreeAdvice Forums are intended to enable consumers to benefit from the experience of other consumers who have faced similar legal issues. FreeAdvice does NOT vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any posting or the qualifications of any person responding

If you have many DWI / DUI convictions , or even arrest , you've got more than a character flaw , you've got a drinking problem . That's why upon conviction most it is mandatory to take a drinking driving defensive course . If you fail the Course you will NOT get your full license restored and you most likely will have to " Successfully " complete some kinda of alcohol abuse treatment program .

If you were asking me... I've never been arrested until my arrest a few months ago, first and only time ever obviously. I've been without a license now for almost 2 weeks, longest I've gone without driving since I was 14, only 167 more days to go, by the way I'm almost 32.

I really appreciated BigMistakes response, it's very reassuring. Scared and Depressed are two things I go through every day involving this, I'm always able to bring myself back to reality though thinking it could have been worse, and I'm glad I've got a second chance (the rest of my life) to prove it will never happen again.

Big day for me tomorrow, get to see my in-car video, we'll see what happens.

[NavyChiefsWife]

I come here and post as a sister who lost her 16 year old sister to a drunk driver and I come here as a mother of a drunk driver who spent 10 months in prison here in Washington State for a car accident my son caused because of being drunk driver. If I can help anyone, be it a victim or an individual who has been charged with a DUI, or vehicular assault or manslaughter, then I feel it is important for me to do so. I know about loss, grief, pain and anger. I know about the legal system from my son's case, I know about the grief, the anxiety, the humiliation, the guilt, all the emotions that a mother can feel when one has to accept the fact, their own son commited a felony and his incarceration in prison for his crime. I know about coming out on the other side of both of these events in my life and how we as individuals and how we as a family made it.

[DumbDrunk]

I don't post that often (it's been a few months), but I come here often to read and reflect. My DUI forced me to admit to my alcoholism. My coming here is largely selfish, but it's one of many tools I use to stay sober. I am now well into my third year of sobriety.

I feel for those recently arrested, feel even more for the few posters who have been injured, or have lost friends/family members to a drunk driver. I have no ability to truly appreciate the loss of the later, but for the former I try to remember just how I felt when I was arrested. I only had one DUI, and didn't hurt anyone, but I realize just how close I was to total disaster. But for the grace of God I would be a convicted murderer if I had hit and killed someone.

I must say that the few MADD posters here who are of the fire and brimstone 'you DUI types are all scum and deserve to die' school kind of amuse me. Most MADD folks I met during my court-ordered classes seem happy that someone realizes that they are just another damn drunk and take steps to handle their problem and ensure they will not commit the crime again.

I guess every organization has it's kooks. Heck, my own organization, AA, is full of them!