driving under the influence of Methodone..klonopin and alcoholI

[Dad854]

My daughter recently was arrested for DUI...she goes to a methodone clinic every day...had taken a 80mg dose that morning and said she had a couple drinks that night before being pulled over..I suspect she had also taken some klonopin....She blew a .069....08 being legally drunk...Police report said she could barely keep her eyes open and was slurring her speech...she failed all the field sobriety tests...I suspect klonopin was in the mix but she denies it...what do some of you think. .

[Dav125]

She actually admitted to the officer she had methadone in her system? Not good...What you have here is a double edged sword working against her..The fact she tripped up with the law and the fact she is in a deep state of denial about what she has been doing during the past decade of her life..

Ok, lets think a minute...Does your State have any type of diversionary program where if the individual does not fight the charge, pleads guilty basically and then the judge says or orders the individual into a treatment program of some sort to which if they complete it, they get a one time pass on a dui sticking to one's record for the rest of their life? You need to investigate this. Especially if she was caught on tape admitting to the methadone use. If she is bull headed and thinks that because she didn't blow over a .08 that she can't be convicted, tell her to think again..Because she can be convicted and hundreds if not thousands have been. The .05 is the real measuring stick..Key words? May or may not be or have the faculties around her to operate a vehicle in a safe fashion..SHE CAN BE FOUND GUILTY..PLUG THAT INTO HER HEAD!!!!..And why is this all of the sudden it is this way? It isn't an all of the sudden thing. Its been on the books for ALMOST 20 YEARS but until a person actually gets caught up in a situation like this, do they realize that as we passively lived our lives, behind the scenes these laws were being implemented very quietly.

Call a dui lawyer..A specific dui lawyer..Most will grant a free interview to consider the case without charging..And will be able to tell you right there and then what the chances are of beating the rap.....Gnarly has made a suggestion above..In order for that to work, a lawyer, the prosecutor (or officer,,,depends State to State) will get their heads together with the judge before court is held and decide the outcome before she steps in the door..But this is only if she plans on going along with some sort of plea and that would be only something I would go along with if there was a diversionary program which would clear my record if I performed what the judge required. Like I said, there may not be that type of program in your State..If this issue of methadone program, young children, and a dui gets slapped on her, that public knowledge will forever haunt her every move. Especially if she gets to the point of getting clean an pursuing gainful employment..This drug issue is bad,,but I can't emphasis enough how getting convicted of what she is charged with will cause major problems even after she gets clean....A regular lawyer will not do..Hear those words..Contact a dui attorney....Get a complete picture of whats at stake here..I really can't express that enough.....

[atthebeach]

hey dad, i understand your concern and hurt through all of this. i had similar issues with my son. you said you cant afford a lawyer and neither can she. let her get a court appointed lawyer and ask the judge and the lawyer to put her in a rehab, even though she is over 18 do will listen. many times addicts need to go to rehab a few times before they learn to live as a recovering addict and not an active one. i would recommend a christian drug and alcohol program. their success rate is much better than secular. the programs are usually 9 months to 1 yr. did she lose custody of her children? addicts have issues that keep them using to numb their pain. emotional pain,scars,hurts, that need to be dealt with. christian programs dont just clean up the addict on the outside they work from the inside out. please look up teen challenge for women i know many men and women who have been through the teen challenge programs and are doing wonderful and living a clean life. if she is being difficult to live with and not accepting your help then maybe kicking her out is the only option. it is heartbreaking i know i did it. we become enablers and think we are helping but all we do is help them to continue to use and be dyfunctional in society. i hope and pray that she will realize that she needs help and will accept it.
i will pray ,
debbie

[gnarly_1]

MY wife and I had befriended the judge we where in front of him so many times (problem child)
but a simple letter addressing your concirns and letting him knowing what is going on will suffice expensive attorneys will work to get her off not put in rehab.....if you just want to talk message me I check my mail threw out the day although today we have all the kids over
for a big Easter meal I will try and get back to you.......Gnarly

[Dad854]

but the DUI is pretty much a given in that she admitted to using methadone that morning from a clinic in addition to blowing a .069 and failing the field sobriety test...The actual ticket she was given just said DUI-- Drugs...the police report included the alcohol reading and also stated that she only had slight nystagmus but failed every part of the other 2 tests.I had forgotten to mention that she passed that 1 part of the test...Do I need to get a high dollar attorney to get done what needs to be done? Or just work with the judge assigned to the case.  

[gnarly_1]

Well if they really wanted to screw her they would have taken her for a blood draw to see exactly what was in her system the evedence they have is strictly circumstantial...no real proof
a good laywer can do a lot with that.....as for the mandate to court you can do what me and my wife did and write a letter to the judge explaining that she is still abusing drugs and you are strickly trying to save her life but can no longer force her into a rehab but he can....my wife actually told the judge throw the books at our daughter....that we where trying to save her life
the letter helped .....I wish you all the luck in the world with this we went threw it with our daughter .....Gos bless.....Gnarly

[Dad854]

Dropped down to what? What 's realistic ...I guess what I'm asking is it better to just get a court appointed attorney or spend up to $ 2,000 in hopes of getting the charges reduced to what? I know...stupid question. My main goal is to get her into a state funded rehab mandated by the courts...She is 23 and I can't force her to do anything and she is getting imposible to live with...She has no money...no place to live except with me and no car and facing a DUI...I fear the worst if I kick her out.  

[gnarly_1]

SHE wont beat the dui charge.....she failed the sobriety test she was obviously under the influence of something a good laywer can get the charges droped down but she will still face a suspension of her license and have to go for random u/a's this is a best senero....some times we need to hit rock bottom b/4 we get better and hopefully its b/4 we kill someone or ourselfs
.......Gnarly    

[ImDONENoMore]

I think this is where "tough love" has to come into the picture.  As long as you are taking care of her - you are ENABLING her to do what she wants.  She's looking for a way out right now by saying she wants to "beat" the dui with a good attorney.  She needs serious help - and as her Dad, you have to give it to her.  You just do.  Good luck to you.  :)

[Dad854]

She is 23...and been in and out of trouble since age 14...She has 2 children who live with her mother...She has attended at least 3 extended stay rehab centers when she was a minor...Her drug useage has included..  oxycotin(injected)..pills (uppers and downers)..alcohol...you neme it and she has probably tried it. She is currently living with me and working at a bar. She has no money to pay for an attorney and I am currently out of work living off savings.I have taken away her car and am driving her back and forth to work.

My big question is...Do I want to spend alot of money to try and get her an expensive attorney to get her off...just so she can do it again...or wash my hands of her financially and let the court system hopefully mandate a state supported rehab stay to get her off methadone and start all over....She is unwilling to accept that she has done anything wrong because she registered a .069. She thinks she can beat the DUI with a good attorney....HELP!!!!!!

[Dav125]

Find an attorney that "specializes" in DUI cases..I'm serious. Not just any attorney..I don't know what the dui laws are in your state, but lets say I have personal experience and alot of reseach in this subject..A person can possibly be found guilty with anything over a .05..You need to get this case to a DUI lawyer ASAP...

On her mixing substances, well the proofs in the pudding. She is not only putting herself at risk, she is putting other people at risk on the highway..Until this matter is settled, it might be best she curtail her driving..If she gets stopped again, they may get the evidence in the form of a blood test which will lead to a conviction and a mark on her record which will haunt her from that day forward..I know what I'm talking about here..Find a dui attorney. A specific dui attorney..This is very important...

[gnarly_1]

HI.......methadone can mack you ''nod off at the most inappropriate times mixing benzo's with methadone can be deadly most clinics wont alow it that being said if you fail the field sobriety test your considered dui....im really suprized they dident take her to a hospital for a blood draw to see what was in her system ether way she is lucky know one got hurt and will probably fase a 90 day suspension of her license and will have to take random drug screenings....methadone is legal in many states to drive under but alot have not made it leagle yet it would be worth knowing b/4 court.....let us know what happens good luck and God bless.....Gnarly    

[tingtongtom]

benzos and alcohol are a very dangerous mix anyway which can easily cause death, let alone behind a wheel. I would be worried despite the car. Also, it is VERY irrisponsible as an innocent life could have been taken. Yet I know the power of klonpin, (clonazepam), its strong and makes you do pretty mad things and not give a damn. Get her some therapy and detox if you love her

[Punkinhead75]

Drinkn drugn and drivng still don't mix.  It's a good thing she got stopped by the cops instead of a tree or a train or seriosly hurt someone.  Good luck!!!