I got a DUI and was arrested

Operating While Intoxicated

I am really upset. My probation officer informed me yesterday that there is a travel restriction while on probation, meaning I am not allowed to leave the state without permission. So I followed up with my lawyer to ask if this is true, and my lawyer tells me there should be NO restriction. The probation officer said this to me on the phone without having my case in front of him.

So now I need clarification but I am upset that it could be true.... I mean, there's punishment enough I feel - why restrict my travel for a whole year? That's going way too far. I live in a police state.

@Have Hope - That was a rough evening, and the down stream effects are no fun. After a few days, though, I hope you're able to accept it and then move on. Beating ourselves up over something that has already happened and cannot change is not good use of energy and time. I hope you can let the process unfold, keep your chin up, and move on! Best!

Your lawyer is the one most likely to be right, being as the probation person didn't have your file in front of him

Thank you.

I am not beating myself up anymore, but I do think the punishment is particularly harsh for a 1st time offended in my state.

Thank you.

I truly hope this is the case!

I am able to drive again as of today!!! Hooray!

My probation officer confirmed that there IS a travel restriction. I cannot travel out of state without permission? WTF is that???

My lawyer was wrong and never told me about this being a potential statute. Now my choice or option is to take a day off from work in order to go in front of the judge to ask him to remove the restriction.

ARGH! I am really frustrated... had I known about this in court, I would have wanted to negotiate to get that dropped.

Is there a way for your lawyer to appeal on your behalf?

Unfortunately not. I’m told I have to ask my probation officer to arrange for me to see the judge.

Can the probation officer request it for a day you are not at work?

When can you go outside of the area state thing again?

Sorry I'm not sure how it works

I don’t know. I will have to call him tomorrow to find out those details. Argh!

Lots and lots of good lucks, Hope

Thank you.

My lawyer says he may be able to go to court with me to get this restriction removed without charging me an additional fee. He said he will get back to me. Fingers are crossed! I definitely need this removed... I like to go out of state and frequently enough, and the court makes it difficult to get permission.

Good luck Hope

As a requirement for my DUI, I had to attend two AA meetings. I felt like a foreigner, which tells me I do not have an addiction to alcohol. It was certainly educational and kind of interesting to attend... the group dynamic I found to be a powerful glue and very supportive. Still, I felt odd and like an outsider observing.

8-9 more weeks of my course to go - we're about halfway through. It's been grueling and really hard because it's so darned long!

I am still annoyed that I have to do this stupid course/rehab program, but I am taking my DUI seriously. I have been drinking water all night whenever I am at a bar and am driving home.

I set in on some for a week because I used to treat so many that would drink too much. I remember the structure of them, serenity prayer--->Daily Affirmation----->(Volunteer) Would read from the Bluebook------->Those having issues would talk and the group using collective wisdom would reply. Younger members would have someone with longer sober time called a sponsor. They worked on something in the Bluebook called the ten steps, I never saw what those were. The sponsors would help their charges get through them and be available as an emergency measure if someone was thinking of taking a drink. I could see how they would be helpful to some, if you felt odd, then perhaps not so much for you. It seems long but it will pass in no time it is good to have the experience. Also if you ever feel as if people don't like you, it's a good place to go, because they all say, "Glad you're here."

Thank you!!