quincy
Senior Member
Wow, thanks for all the responses. So as I kept reading your guys/girls posts I keep reading that the DA might deffer the charge entirely, or to something less...does that mean i would have to wait until my court appearance to speak with the DA? Or do I have to contact them beforehand?
Also, the suggestion I should get alcohol treatment...would going to a few AA meetings and getting a signed note from the leader of the meeting help? Or would I have to pay for an alcohol treatment program type of thing? I have to apply for my security guard registration today, and already spent $200 on getting the certification, finger prints, etc + the $50 application fee (final step which im doing today).
And no, I was not inside the house, i was in the backyard passed out.
If you want to "self refer" yourself to a substance abuse rehabilitation program prior to the hearing, your participation in the program will remain as confidential as you want it to remain but, yes, you will have to pay for the program. There will be administrative fees, costs for drug testing, costs for evaluations. Because the substance abuse program would be voluntary, you can withdraw from the program at any time. You might want to check out court-approved centers. You should be able to get this information from your county court. AA is also a possibility you can consider.
If a court orders your attendance at drug/alcohol classes as part of a deferral program, as a note, this can become part of a public record.
You can ask at the hearing to be considered for a deferral program if the DA has not addressed this with you prior to the hearing but I recommend you speak to an attorney in your area first, to discuss the charge and the best way to approach it. Having an attorney can be the best way for you to get the charge reduced or dismissed or deferred.
The treatment program is more for your benefit than for the court although, as CdwJava noted, the fact that you are seeking help for alcohol abuse works to your favor in court. Blacking-out in someone else's backyard is a pretty good indication that a person has a problem with alcohol.
Good luck.