awax

How’s this for a layover?

Landed in a place far far away, check email in the van, and learned that an immediate family member driving a car registered to me has been charged with DUI. Blew .09. First offense, ever.

Thank god there was no accident, damage, or injury to anyone or anything.

I have zero experience with this but am starting to realize as the anger subsides that I’m going to be an unwilling participant. To be clear, there’s no aviation involvement whatsoever.

Any practical advice, insight, and strategy on how best to navigate “the system” would be much appreciated. Obviously there’s lots of opportunity for soul searching to determine why this happened, but I could use some help to minimize legal overhang.

Otterbox

Get a good lawyer and fight it.

If they lose they lose and you’re only out the $ (which isn’t going to make all the DUI related costs that much more expensive... the billboards/ads I’ve seen say a first offense DUI costs about $15k in fees after everything is all said and done). If they win they prevent a lot of doors getting shut in their face employment and career wise, whether it’s in aviation or elsewhere.

Frankie Avalon

This exactly. The System isn't your friend here, regardless of how "wrong" the offender was. Find the best Saul Goodman type lawyer you can. It'll be well worth it.

TiredSoul

Fight it for all it’s worth.
This is what scumbag attorneys are for.
The training of the cops involved, improper stop, profiling, the calibration of the equipment, all is fair game. Especially if you’re close to the legal limit.

rightside02

Multiple pals have gotten them. A lot depends on the variables , but a good lawyer goes a long way in this system . Most all my friends who could afford a higher end lawyer got it dropped down to a wreck less driving ticket versus a felony charge DUI.

Sadly , this system consist of not the crime committed so much as to what lawyer you can afford to get oneself out of the trouble .

Clean prior record , low blowing amount , Good lawyer shouldn't be a huge fuss at all.

Best of luck

WhisperJet

This isn't going to be a popular post, but consideration should be given to the behavior as well. One reason people don't hold themselves accountable for their actions is that there's often a loop hole or way out. Yeah the legal hassles might be addressed but the underlying behavior doesn't stop. I speak to this as someone who has seen how alcoholism ruins families and lives.

I understand people make mistakes. But people need to realize that we have choices we make and with each choice comes consequences.

I hope you navigate the system successfully, but I also hope you are able to have a meaningful process in place to address the underlying behavior before there is a next time, with perhaps a different outcome.

5spot

If you are in the Houston area call this guy and look no further
DWI Defense Lawyer in Conroe, TX | Conroe DWI Attorney

Vital Signs

Some of you did not read his post. He did not get the dui.

Found this on a lawyer website.:



A DUI usually carries penalties like large fines, jail time, and alcohol education courses for the person who was convicted (in this case, your friend). Your friend’s charge will not affect your own driving record. For people who have loaned their car to someone who was then charged with a DUI, it’s very rare to face criminal penalties. As an extreme example, let’s say you purposefully encouraged or forced your friend to drive while intoxicated, and then your friend was arrested on felony DUI charges. In that case, you could conceivably be charged as an accessory, though it’s not a sure thing. In a more likely scenario, if you knew your friend was drunk and still let them drive your car, you could face a reckless endangerment charge.

I am a pilot so you should talk to a lawyer

sourdough44

I don't think he's worried about himself or his job. An 'immediate' family member usually means kids or spouse. He likely has an interest in helping them out some.

I would meet with an attorney versed in the matter near you, see what options may be available.

Al Czervik

Glad I’m not your kid.