Ask Me Help Desk - First Offense / DUI...

First Offense / DUI...

I Don't know the Workings / Fine Print of it all or maybe I'm not getting the whole picture.. The Occurrence happened in Alberta.. 1st Offense , DUI.. Family Member had been out Drinking had stopped drinking about Midnight, 5 hrs. Later on their way home got pulled over at a Ride Check, asked to blow into the machine.. Don't know what the reading was.. What has me Puzzled, there is a Court Date.. They'll own up to it and plead guilty.. Their told the Fine will be about $1,000. loss of license for 12 months.. Then upon Reinstatment of Driver's License their vehicle will be outfitted with a Blow In Device that allows the vehicle to start for the next 12 months @ a hefty monthly charge at that.. Really Seems extreme for 1st Offense , But What Do I Know? Thoughts Appreciated.. Cheers Thanks

NorPlan, I hate to say it but it all fits the 'crime'. We are constantly warned to not drink and drive, the downside is that someone could have been killed.

You may think the penalty is extreme but it is what it if we want people to realize that a car is a weapon in the hands of an intoxicated driver.

Will this teach him a lesson? If he got caught this one time DUI, how many other times has he not been caught?

Here is what happens in Ontario on top of the fines :

criminal record
limits the ability to travel internationally
auto seizure by police
Permanent loss of drivers license

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

NorPlan, I hate to say it but it all fits the 'crime'. We are constantly warned to not drink and drive, the downside is that someone could have been killed.

You may think the penalty is extreme but it is what it if we want people to realize that a car is a weapon in the hands of an intoxicated driver.

Will this teach him a lesson? If he got caught this one time DUI, how many other times has he not been caught?

Here is what happens in Ontario on top of the fines :

criminal record
limits the ability to travel internationally
auto seizure by police
Permanent loss of drivers license

@ Tickle.. Thanks for the Comeback.. 10-4 on them Owning Up to the Charge and Realizing their Mistake.. What has me puzzled and I do realize there appears to be No Give or Take / Considerations taken into Account.. Just Saying and I would accept the Fine and Loss of License for a Period.. It's upon Reinstatement of Driver's License, the added compliance having to install this Blow In Device that Activates the Ignition starting the Vehicle allowing you to be on your way.. I understand the Monthly Rental / Lease is Not Cheap..

You got off easy. Here in Virginia... you could EASILY have gotten 1 year in jail, I've seen it happen to many people (while I was fighting a parking or traffic ticket because the serious cases always went first)... and additionally your drivers license revoked indefinitely, on top of very high fines and legal fees to start with... BEFORE you have to deal with the interlock device AFTER you manage to get the license back.. I've seen may people play the its my first time, and Oh I am so sorry card. It doesn't work around here. I've actually personally known a couple as well.

Yes that is for a first offense. Second or thirds are significantly worse.

You don't understand why you are going to have the interlock device? It's a preventive measure so the you don't kill someone the next time you get behind the wheel. Consider yourself, or your family member, lucky that you didn't kill someone the first time.

This sounds like a plea agreement. Hefty fine and a few years probation with stipulations, instead of jail time. Seems fair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by talaniman

This sounds like a plea agreement. Hefty fine and a few years probation with stipulations, instead of jail time. Seems fair.

@ talaniman & J_9. I get it, I'm just trying to understand what has been said from Alberta.. One scenario having a Lawyer involved would Cost a good chunk of coin.. As I said in my 1st Post the Individual doesn't have the money for a lawyer and will own up to the Charge and plead Guilty, their waiting for a Court Date. Even though they had stopped drinking 5 / 6 hrs previous to heading home there was still sufficient in their system to fail the Brethalizer.. I can see a 1st Offense Fine of $1,000. And loss of license for a year.. Trying to understand the additional reprimand of upon reinstatement of license , one year of a Blow In Device to release your Vehicle Ignition to start the engine.. At a hefty Monthly fee , Curious is All..

Like I said, the interlock is a preventive measure so that it doesn't happen again. This person really got lucky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

Like I said, the interlock is a preventive measure so that it doesn't happen again. This person really got lucky.

Oh For Sure, If that Don't drive the point across.. Once their Illedgeable to have their license reinstated , it can only be done by having the Interlocking Device installed and they are responsible for the Cost of Rental / Lease of the Device..

Yes, they are responsible for the cost. They are responsible because they broke the law.

I guess I'm not understanding what your question is.