I got a DUI and was arrested

So, the bonus amount I will earn in March is a tiny fraction of what I thought or hoped it would be. It will cover the majority of my legal fee, but nothing more.

So, I am going to be strapped financially for the next year while my credit card minimum payments go way up and while my car insurance premium goes way up. This DUI is having a far bigger impact on me financially than I originally anticipated.

Yesterday I was really down in the dumps when I realized or learned this about my bonus from HR. I had hoped I would be eligible for the full 14K bonus amount, but no, they prorate my bonus based on length of employment, and by March, I will have only been employed for 4 months. ARGH.

A small silver lining is at least I get $2350 to cover the $2500 legal fee I had to put on one of my credit cards. That will lower that card's minimum payment again back to normal, but not until March. Until then. I will barely be getting by. I have other big expenses coming up in the New Year that I have NO idea how I will cover them....

GRRRRR.... and the irony is that I am earning a very good salary. But I have credit card debt and expensive bills and my rent is not cheap. I won't even be able to afford to move out to a cheaper apt in June when my lease runs out.

I have to take things day by day and week by week and see where I can pinch and save money. No more ordering food delivery.

Can the thingie here help? I can't remember what its called but I remember seeing something about the forum giving members money when they need it, cause I forgot what its called I can't find it

i have no brain

I think that's pretty standard for DUIs regardless of actually having SUD or not. I know several people who have had drinking/drug-related offenses and had to do programs like that despite not actually being an addict, just making a stupid decision. Don't think too much about labels and titles, but take anything helpful from the class.

I got an OWI back in the summer of 2005. I used to abuse alcohol too. The whole OWI experience was very sobering. In the end it turned out to be one of the best things that have ever happened to me. I really needed to reevaluate the direction of my life!

I actually had to go to rehab, where you sit in a circle and introduce yourself as an alcoholic (I'm not one either).

We were so broke at the time and the whole experience was so expensive I had to get a second job!

I went to two AA meetings. They sucked.

Don't beat yourself up. People make mistakes. I finally saw a pdoc and was diagnosed and put on meds after the whole OWI infamous incident, and I started seeing a therapist.

Perhaps either of those things would help you?

I got an OWI back in the summer of 2005. I used to abuse alcohol too. The whole OWI experience was very sobering. In the end it turned out to be one of the best things that have ever happened to me. I really needed to reevaluate the direction of my life!

I actually had to go to rehab, where you sit in a circle and introduce yourself as an alcoholic (I'm not one either).

We were so broke at the time and the whole experience was so expensive I had to get a second job!

I went to two AA meetings. They sucked.

Don't beat yourself up. People make mistakes. I finally saw a pdoc and was diagnosed and put on meds after the whole OWI infamous incident, and I started seeing a therapist.

Perhaps either of those things would help you?

Whats OWI? Never heard that before

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

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?