Need Advice: I'm an O/O and just got a DUI

I got a DUI in '05 but it didn't happen in the state in which I resided. I was in Iowa for a wedding and my ride left after he and his wife got into an argument. I started driving back to the motel knowing I was in no condition to drive. I pulled over on the side of the road on my own and a deputy happened to drive by going the other way. He flipped around and pulled up behind me. Busted.

I went to jail that night and was released on my own recognizance the next morning. I wasn't ordered to surrender my license since I wasn't a resident of Iowa. The next day when I returned to Illinois, I searched for a lawyer in the county I'd been charged. I ended up plea bargaining and was given a deferred judgement with 12 months unsupervised probation, $1000 fine, 12 hrs of risk education, and a $225 civil penalty. I was advised by my attorney that Iowa couldn't suspend my Illinois CDL, but I would be considered ineligible should I operate a CMV in Iowa for 12 months.

It did cost me my job I had at that time, but I wasn't terminated officially. The safety director allowed me to resign instead because my urinalysis hadn't came back yet. The arresting officer wasn't certified to operate a breathalyzer, so he had to do a urinalysis to determin my BAC.

I went to work spotting trailers at a plastics plant and after my sentencing began driving regional for that carrier. There's only been one hang up in regards to this DUI and that was just a few months ago when I lost my wallet. I'm not gonna repeat all of that here.

I just wanted to present a situation in which a DUI doesn't mean it's the end of a CDL holder's driving career. A good lawyer and a lotta luck might just save your career.

 

Need Advice: Smarten up Driver......

 

Yeah I don't understand how any truck driver can be that irresponsible to drink and drive. Or drive under the influence. I just don't get it and never will. Plain stupidity and foolishness that can get both you and others killed. And now you are worried about your license???? I think you have to get your priorities in order as far as safety on the road goes !! If you have a drinking problem than the first thing you should be worried about is that ! Not your license to kill !!!!!

 

It makes a big difference when you still have a truck payment tho.

 

Join AA Get a laywer and a 5 gallon of fifth wheel grease(laywer will use this) Never mind you only been in trucking 3 years ever thought about a career change

 

Get a good lawyer. Law enforcement officers get dui's on a regular basis. They get it dropped because of the amount of money they spend. The court system like everything else in life is all about the almighty buck.

 

true enough, but since the OP said he was already planning to hire a driver I didn't bother mentioning anything about that.

 

In Arizona where I am from you get a dui you get :
1 offense you get 4 monthes prison term plus license revoked for 6 monthes
2 offense 6 monthes in prison 1 year license revoked
3 automatically 10 yrs prison sentince and life time revoke of driving privilges

 

Three Words.


Take a Cab!

 

Two Words

Too Late