DUI Questions

[sehrynn]

I was charged with a DUI in PA in September of this year. The summons was sent to the wrong address and subsequently was returned to the court and they placed an arrest warrant on me. Meanwhile, I had moved to Michigan. The cop that pulled me over gave me a call and told me about the warrant and told me to call the judge to get it handled.. I did this and made the trip back to PA for the hearing. They DID fingerprint me after the preliminary hearing and then a few days later, I was required to have another hearing (the one where they just determine if there's enough evidence for a trial). My Public Defender got me enrolled in ARD and told me this means that the DUI will only show up on a driving record, not as a conviction.

I just had to do a Livescan for a job that I was offered (I doubt they will still offer me the job if it shows up on the record, it's at a school). Will this show up on the results or should I be in the clear?

 

[Just Blue]

I was charged with a DUI in PA in September of this year. The summons was sent to the wrong address and subsequently was returned to the court and they placed an arrest warrant on me. Meanwhile, I had moved to Michigan. The cop that pulled me over gave me a call and told me about the warrant and told me to call the judge to get it handled.. I did this and made the trip back to PA for the hearing. They DID fingerprint me after the preliminary hearing and then a few days later, I was required to have another hearing (the one where they just determine if there's enough evidence for a trial). My Public Defender got me enrolled in ARD and told me this means that the DUI will only show up on a driving record, not as a conviction.

I just had to do a Livescan for a job that I was offered (I doubt they will still offer me the job if it shows up on the record, it's at a school). Will this show up on the results or should I be in the clear?

So a police officer "told you" to "call the judge" in PA?? REALLY??

 

[Proserpina]

So a police officer "told you" to "call the judge" in PA?? REALLY??

I can believe it, to be honest. With a few notable exceptions, most LEOs don't actually know much about the intricacies (or even basics, let's face it) of the legal system.

I'm more disbelieving of the statement that the cop actually called the OP.

 

[CdwJava]

I can believe it, to be honest. With a few notable exceptions, most LEOs don't actually know much about the intricacies (or even basics, let's face it) of the legal system.

I beg to disagree. Most cops I have known are far more knowledgeable of the system than the average person because they live within it. They may not know the historical underpnnings or foundations of it unless they have had some additional education in the system, but most know how it works where they are.

It might happen in the officer's locale where the judge or magistrate can be convinced to withdraw a warrant pending a new hearing. Not every county is a heavy bureaucracy like Los Angeles. In my county in CA, we can call the judge, directly, and so can members of the pbulic. Now, getting any action on such an ex parte communication is unlikely, but not impossible. It is possible that in the county where the PA officer worked, that's the procedure.

It's also possible the officer was overgeneralizing when he said to call the judge and should have said "contact the court" to make arrangements for anew hearing date.

But, as I said, most officers know more about how it works in their county than the average Joe, even if they don't have a BA in Criminal Justice.

 

[betachains]

So, you guys are going to be mall security at $15/hour?
It's hard to believe that "criminal justice" is a real college major. But, apparently it is so.

Serious question: If you see a job applicant who majored in "criminal justice", do you just roll your eyes? Why not a major in "7-11 night management studies, subspecialty in crusted-sausage, rewarmed."?


So sad.

 

[CdwJava]

It's hard to believe that "criminal justice" is a real college major. But, apparently it is so.

Yeah, it is ... in fact, they even have MAs and PhDs in it! If you don't believe in that, perhaps you should study a bit more and understand what the major actually entails. It's no more narrow than History, English, Literature, or a number of others. In fact, CJ is a blending of a number of disciplines unlike many others that are quite narrow.

So, you guys are going to be mall security at $15/hour?

Uh ... no ... they actually get paid less than that. I get paid considerably more than that ... and I risk a lot more.

So sad.

Yeah ... we should actually be paid even more than we do, but, that's the sacrifice we make to serve.

Serious question: If you see a job applicant who majored in "criminal justice", do you just roll your eyes? Why not a major in "7-11 night management studies, subspecialty in crusted-sausage, rewarmed."?

Because one is actual college coursework, and the other is some made-up trash talk by someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.

As a note, I have multiple degrees, and only one is in CJ ... not everyone in this career majors in CJ in college.

 

[betachains]

Well, I am retired, so I am out of the loop. But, really, a college major for "criminal justice" seems a bit off to me.

Isn't it kinda like the "Phys-Ed" major of past ages?

It seems to me that a college degree (esp. in criminal justice) is completely irrelevant in a cop's performance. We just want some non-psychopathic, average-intellegince, common-sensical guy. We will pay him $100,000 a year plus bennies and retirement (in CA).


Whatta I know. I just have a physics and post-grad degrees.

 

[TheGeekess]

Well, I am retired, so I am out of the loop. But, really, a college major for "criminal justice" seems a bit off to me.

Isn't it kinda like the "Phys-Ed" major of past ages?

Whatta I know. I just have a physics and post-grad degrees.

Alrighty then.

 

[betachains]

Alrighty then.

(Apparently,"Alrighty then" has been used in this forum as a smart rejointer signifying contempt, knowing irony, and just all-around cool.)

Alrighty!

 

[CdwJava]

Well, I am retired, so I am out of the loop. But, really, a college major for "criminal justice" seems a bit off to me.

Nope. "Off" seems to be Bowling Industry Management, Piano Pedagogy, Family & Consumer Sciences, EcoGastronomy, urf and Golf Course Management, Packaging, Equine Studies, Bakery Science, and Blacksmithing ... those are unusual. Criminal Justice, which incorporates elements of Sociology, Law, History, Government, Philosophy, and others (depending upon emphasis) does not.

Isn't it kinda like the "Phys-Ed" major of past ages?

I don't know - I don't know anyone who majored in that ... or in Underwater Basket-weaving.

It seems to me that a college degree (esp. in criminal justice) is completely irrelevant in a cop's performance.

Required? No. But, since education is not only a way to improve one's career potential as well as expand one's mind and intellectual process but also a way to improve job performance, it's a good idea.

Is an English degree relevant to a cop's performance? A banker's? A CEO's? Not really, but they're out there.

We just want some non-psychopathic, average-intellegince, common-sensical guy. We will pay him $100,000 a year plus bennies and retirement (in CA).

Wow! Where's THAT job!? It ain't policework in CA!

Whatta I know. I just have a physics and post-grad degrees.

Good for you. I have multiple degrees including post-grad as well as a teaching credential ... what do I know?

And since, on the average, law enforcement officers are significantly more likely to have a 4-year college degree (nearly 90% have 2-year degrees or the equivalent) than the average American, education seems to be a commonly held value.

You can poo-poo it all you want, but there is more to life and knowledge than hard sciences. Are you simply being thick for the heck of it? Or, do you look down on everyone?

 

[betachains]

I really think that "criminal justice" isintellectually on a par with bakery science, and probably less useful.

Cops in northern CA (and LA area) make $100K after a few years, plus bennies and retirement.

Does a degree help a cop's career? Absolutely. Credentialism at its best.

Do they major in English? French Literature? Chemistry? Mechanical Engineering? No. They get their degrees in make-up studies. And then they get paid more for the rest of their lives. Unless they get master's degrees; then they get paid more.

Is physics a real major? Yes. Is Electrical Engineering a real course of study? Yes. Is med school worth it? Yes. Does law school teach anything? Yes.

Is criminal justice a real course? No.

Alrighty.

 

[mmmagique]

Is criminal justice a real course? No.

What is your definition of real?

Is it a course that is offered and taught? Yes.

Do students take that course? Yes.

Are students who take that course more likely than the average high school graduate more likely to get a job somewhere in the criminal justice field? (I'm going to hazard a guess here and say yes.)

Honestly, you sound bitter and behind the times. Grow up.

 

[betachains]

What is your definition of real?

Is it a course that is offered and taught? Yes.

Do students take that course? Yes.

Are students who take that course more likely than the average high school graduate more likely to get a job somewhere in the criminal justice field? (I'm going to hazard a guess here and say yes.)

Honestly, you sound bitter and behind the times. Grow up.

Are you more likely to get a job in the criminal justice field with a degree in some BF major like CriminalWhatEver, or BasketWeaving, or really go for it with PoliSci or Sociology? Face it, there are majors which basically say you have a low IQ. I dunno, maybe the police aim for the less intelligent, and a Criminal Justice major is their clarion call. How many MIT and med school grads become criminal justice officers?

Why is a college degree considered a plus at all for cops?

 

[CdwJava]

I really think that "criminal justice" isintellectually on a par with bakery science, and probably less useful.

Sorry you think that. Guess that shows your lack of understanding of the curriculum, but, that's fine - we can't all know everything.

Cops in northern CA (and LA area) make $100K after a few years, plus bennies and retirement.

Really? Name me that department.

Does a degree help a cop's career? Absolutely. Credentialism at its best.

Do they major in English? French Literature? Chemistry? Mechanical Engineering? No.

Really? I have an officer working for me that has his degree in English. Another is working on an MBA. Do most have CJ degrees., Sure. It's sort of like chemists having a degree in chemistry, mathematicians having a degree in math, or bankers having degrees in finance or business - you get a degree in your field of interest. I'm not sure why that's a surprise. Or, did you work in the hopsitality industry with your physics degree?

They get their degrees in make-up studies.

Really? I didn't.

And then they get paid more for the rest of their lives. Unless they get master's degrees; then they get paid more.

Paid more ... hmmm ... only if their MOU allows for it. As a note, I don't get extra for my degrees. I have secondary employment and additional opportunities, but I don't get more money for any of them. In one of my former departments, I'd be getting an additional 15% for them, but, that wouldn't translate into extra in retirement.

Is physics a real major? Yes. Is Electrical Engineering a real course of study? Yes. Is med school worth it? Yes. Does law school teach anything? Yes.

Is criminal justice a real course? No.

Ah, so, your contention is that only the so-called "hard" sciences are real ... everything else is not. (though why you'd feel law school is on the same par with the hard sciences, I don't know) How closed minded of you. And sad. Fortunately there are well-rounded people out there that recognize the importance of other concentrations of study that are necessary for our society beyond the sciences and law school.

 

[CdwJava]

Are you more likely to get a job in the criminal justice field with a degree in some BF major like CriminalWhatEver, or BasketWeaving, or really go for it with PoliSci or Sociology? Face it, there are majors which basically say you have a low IQ. I dunno, maybe the police aim for the less intelligent, and a Criminal Justice major is their clarion call. How many MIT and med school grads become criminal justice officers?

Why is a college degree considered a plus at all for cops?

... Sad ... simply, sad ...

Sorry you are an elitist and don't understand ... closed mindedness will do that to a person. We DO understand.