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zhang04 · Mar 22, 2009, 08:03 PM

Hi I'm in some serious trouble and would like some advice on my situation, specially with someone that has been through something similar to my case.

I got a DWI (1st offense) just a night ago in Blacksburg, Virginia, where I go to college. I have read up on the maximum and minimum penalties for this offense. The catch is, I had a suspended sentence that involves jail time for a previous violation of Driving w/o a license.

I am wondering if my suspended sentence will be automatically instated and will be added to whatever else is given to my for the DWI? Will enrolling in AA courses before the hearing date be of any help to my case?

I know what I did was very foolish and at 22 years of age I should have known better. I should have cleaned up my act after the driving without a license ordeal. My future is pretty much ruined. My parents will probably not pay for my tuition anymore and I won't be able to drive for a bit, so I probably can't work. The night that I spent in jail, I saw around me all these repeat offenders of some other very serious crimes. I'm not like them but I feel like I'm on the path to slowly becoming one of them.

AlpineAnnie · Mar 23, 2009, 06:34 AM

Attending AA can't hurt. If you go, go frequently and have someone in charge sign and date something for you every time that you go. Participate. Clean up as much of your driving record/fines/tickets, etc. as you can prior to going to court. All of these things CAN help but that doesn't mean they WILL help. Not driving does not necessarily mean you can't work. There is public transportation, car pool with friends, ask friends and family for rides, pay for a cab... A lot of people have to do just that and they do it every day. Whether your suspended sentence is now going to cause you a problem - none of us can know that. We don't know the terms or length of that suspension. If you do not have the financial resources available to hire an attorney, ask for a public defender at your arraignment. Sit down with your parents and have an adult discussion about your mistakes and college, etc. Good luck.