February 2008 - Posts

• Bill AB 808 - DUI Related Punishments keep getting worse

  With the passage of Bill AB 808 earlier this year everyone who gets or renews their drivers license in California on or after July 1, 2008, will be required to sign the following statement as a condition of getting their license: "I am hereby advised that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, impairs the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous to human life to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both. If I drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, and as a result, a person is killed, I can be charged with murder." So just like that people are being forced (or course the state will argue that a drivers license is a privilage not a right but who can really get by without a car?) to sign up for a murder charge when it should be something less. Posted Feb 19 2008, 10:12 PM by brianc with no comments Filed under: DUI AB 808, Murder

• Marin DUI school - Education vs Group classes

  Your time in DUI school is divided into 6 weeks in "education" sessions and then the remainder of your time in "group" sessions.  After attending a "make up" education session (because I was absent from one earlier) I was reminded of how boring the education sessions are verses the group.  All you really do in the education sessions is watch videos and the time goes very slowly.  The group sessions on the other hand take more effort because you actually have to participate and interact with the group but at least there the time goes by more quickly.  Lastly, the instructor you get makes all the difference in the world - some are known to painful and some are known to be good.  Once in class you quickly find out the type that you have.. Posted Feb 14 2008, 01:35 PM by brianc with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Marin County Drinking and Driving Program, DUI School, DUI Class

• Tough week in DUI class

  It was a tough week for the group this past week.  Several of those in group are dealing with some personal issues (that have nothing to do with the DUIs or alcohol) and I wish them all the best. I was reminded of the importance of counting you time "time" correctly in DUI class.  Let me explain, if you are in for the 9 month program you will have a total of 30 classes - 6 education and 24 group. If you never miss a class and take your 30 classes in a row you will be finished with the classes but you will not be deemed as to have completed the 9 month course until a full 9 months have passed.  In this example you would have approximately 9 weeks left until the full 9 months are up.  Therefore it is in your interest to be absent from some classes along the way.  The only problem is that you are fined $30 for each absence and if you have over 7 absences you will be returned to court. If you don't take any absences you will have to keep having "face to face" meetings with the instructor until your full time is up.  I think the best strategy is to miss a few classes along the way but leave yourself some safety room so you don't end up with more than 7 absences in total. Posted Feb 06 2008, 12:30 AM by brianc with no comments Filed under: DUI Class