c'mon seniorjudge, you couldn't come up with a better response than that?????
Anyway, while the judge is correct regarding intra-state DUI, you were arrested in a state that you do not live in or are licensed in - Correct?
Correct. I am not a resident of NC. Income and property taxes are paid in IL.
The state that you were arrested in is the state you will need to go to court in and those laws will prevail. While NC does not have the authority to take your IL license away, it does have the authority to suspend your driving privledges in NC. The adminstrative suspension period take place unless you attend the DMV hearing to retain your restricted privledges in NC.
Everything you said has been proven. NC actually returned my IL license to me, then suspended/revoked my driving privileges in NC (after convicting me), then gave me restricted Driving Privileges in NC, then notified IL that NC had suspended/revoked by driving, then IL suspended/revoked my driving privileges in IL AND demanded all tags for ALL cars with my name on the title / registration. I have done my community service and am trying to sign up for class, but have (as you might expect) problems attending class due to transportation problems; i.e. not driving w/o a license.
My lawyer says I can drive in 49 of the 50 states (IL excluded) however I am sure my insurance company would reject any claims as I don't have a valid license.
I am not well versed in the DUI laws in either state, but I highly suggest you obtain an attorney in the county you were arrested in. They will know if there are any first time offender programs you may be eligible for. Bottom line? It isn't pretty - No matter where you are arrested. DUI is ugly, ugly, ugly. I was arrested in Maryland, but lived and was licensed in Virgina. I was very lucky. Maryland had a first time offender diversion program that I was fortunate enough to complete and was not convicted of the offense.
I can tell you though, I learned a valuable lesson and will NEVER drink and drive again. It's just not worth the issues that follow.
If you are actually convicted, expect NC to notify IL and your license in IL will be suspended just as the offense took place in IL. States now talk to each other.
My advice? Face your responsibility, pay the fine IN FULL when you go to court, complete any and all programs they ask you to and never, ever drink and drive again. The life you save, could be your own.
I am facing the truth which is that I won't be driving for the next two years, that my life is now totally screwed up, that I have a record, that I am now locked into staying with my current employer (due to the criminal record), and will never drink and drive again.
The ONLY high point is that my problems have had an incredible impact on everyone that knows me and knows of my situation. Ain't nobody drinking and driving anymore in my group.