cariturtle
Junior Member
I was in an accident about 6 years ago. I was intoxicated, passed out while driving and flipped my car. I was the only person injured (I broke my upper left arm and now have a titanium rod in my arm with a screw in my shoulder). My car was totalled. My plates had expired one month previous and my drivers licsense was suspended at the time for an unpaid speeding ticket. I did have full coverage car insurance. (the courts did try to charge me with no insurance but that got thrown out when I proved I had coverage) Anyway, I couldn't continue working after the accident because I didn't have a way to my job. I was in a bad relationship and got no assistance from the boyfriend I had at the time. Anyway, I kept going to court and of course I had fines. They were anywhere between $500-$700 in fines for the previously mentioned items above. Because I wasn't working and had no income or help and because I watched the judge send a few people to jail for being unable to pay their fines. But I jumped ahead here. I didn't have an attorney and was given unsupervised probation. The compliances were SATOP classes (I think there were 2 of those.), 1 victms impact class, 35 hrs of community service, no drinking at least 6 hours before I drive. It was supposed to be for 2 yrs. Oh, and paying my fines. So anyway, as I seen other people getting locked up for not paying fines and because I didn't have the means to pay I was afraid to go to court. I did complete the victims impact thing and paid it ($25). I had no transportation to get to the SATOP classes so I didn't do those. I actually did do the community service but didn't have the $60 required to pay so it's like I didn't even do it. I left the fool I was with and moved back to the city. Fell in love with a good guy, got a job that I take public transportation to. I only drink occasionally now and that's either at home or a bar that I can walk to. But I only drink once a month and not a lot either. I've been working and back in the city for about 4 yrs now but even though I've been working I do have 2 kids that needed me financially as well as just basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food, bus fare, etc.) I know I could have found an attorney to resolve this but couldn't commit at the time to paying one. I am in the position now to start paying a lawyer and getting this straightened out. I do not want to spend anytime in jail though. It terrifies me plus it could put my job in jeapordy. I learned my lesson driving drunk. I been taking busses so long now that it doesn't even bother me. Will a lawyer be able to get me out of this without serving jail time, allow me to pay the fines over a short period of time, allow me to do the community service, SATOP and whatever else I may be forgetting without missing work? OR after a certain amount of years is there a statue of limitations where I will not even have to worry about this anymore? The DUI was my first and only DUI offense. I never had nothing worse than a making a left without an arrow and a minor speeding ticket and a very old domestic dispute on my criminal record. I haven't been in any legal trouble since the DUI other than the failures to appear all these years. Please give me some advice. I am tired of this hanging over my head and now that I have finally grown up I am looking forward to getting to drive again and enjoy the freedom of getting to pick up and go when I want. Thanks in advance for any and all advice given. Again, as a reminder, if it's helpful the DUI happened in and I currently still live in the state of Missouri. Oh, and in the accident there was no other vehicle or no other people involved but myself and my car.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
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