After what seems like forever, I finished up my DUI school and was waiting to get my license back.  The thing to know are as follows: The DUI school has ten days after you have completed everything to submit your electronic completion certificate to the DMV, which you need them to do so you can go into the DMV and get your unrestricted license back.  The couple of thoughts around this are: 1) you may be able to get everything done faster if you stay in close contact with you counselor and 2) be sure to check with your counselor that you have not missed anything like oweing the school money or that you have any absenses - it is your responsibility to make sure everything is done or you may be in for a suprise when you never get your license back.

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.

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..

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.

I recently found out that my time in DUI school is almost up.  I have officially become a short timer and will have more on getting my license back when that happens.  People shared a couple of interesting updates.  The lady who had given up drinking completely decided that was not the path for her and after a few weeks decided to start drinking again but only in moderation.  Probably a more reasonable path to follow and she seems happy with the results.  In addtion, one person who had been looking for a new job with her DUI (FYI she did not lose her last job becuase of the DUI but instead decided change careers) was able to get one and they were the type of company that does backgrounds checks so that is great news.

I heard a statement recently which was "Everyone who had gotten a DUI is an alcoholic" and did a bit of thinking about it.  In the end my thinking is that that statement is no more valid than saying that "You are not an alcoholic unless you have gotten a DUI."  There is no question that a DUI is a wakeup call to take an examination into your drinking habits but it does not mandate the answer.

I saw a recent statistic for Marin County that said for the four DUI checkpoints set up over the holidays (Dec 15 - Dec 27 2007) that there were a total of two DUI arrests.  Now mind you this is out of 3,500+ cars "screened" (e.g. stopped) at the checkpoints.  Really? I suppose that is either good (there were not very many people to catch) or bad (a not very efficient use of resources.)  The unknown part is what is the deterrent factor in putting up the checkpoints.

On another front, DUI Class continues the same as ever except that the school has moved to a new (and nicer location.)  Everyone in the class continues to do well, wish their time was over and want their one night a week back.

 Cheers and talk to you next week.

After a two week break due to the holidays I was back it in DUI School this week.  Everyone seemed to have had a good break and were thankful for not having to come to class for two weeks.  Our guest instructor posed an interesting question to the group this week – “What is the most impactful thing you have learned during your time in class.”

I thought about this a bit and for me the most important thing I have learned is the strange dichotomy of DUIs in Marin County.  On one hand it clearly a pervasive and persistent problem and there are a large number of people drinking and driving every day in Marin.  On the other hand there are the extreme penalties, social stigma and one sided “justice” system.  The result is a sort of a “Russian Roulette” justice where the vast majority of people drink and drive and don’t get caught and the unlucky few get caught and pay the big price.  More than anything else I feel there is an information gap where people have no idea about how bad the penalties are for a DUI conviction until they have one and it is too late. 

As Forrest Gump said “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.” – except with a DUI what you get may be soft and brown but it sure don’t taste like chocolate…

Another week and another DUI class.  Everyone was in good spirits because as it turns we get the next two weeks off because of the Holiday season.  In general everyone has had a good week without anyone getting into trouble.  The woman who swore off drinking last week is staying on target and has not done any drinking, so kudos to her.  Another woman, whose work found out about her DUI is jumping through a bunch of hoops her work is requiring her to do in order to keep her job.  The good news is that there is nothing she has to produce for her employer that she won't be able to as long as she is motivated. 

The instructor shared a story of just how easy it is to get a DUI these days.  A guy (who had been drinking) left a party to grab a couple of items from his car (but was not driving, was not in the drivers seat and had no intention of driving.)  While he was at his car, the San Rafael police drove by and questioned him as to he was doing.  Well one thing led to another and he got arrested for a DUI without even driving!   So there you go - don't even go near your car if you have been drinking.  Merry Christmas and Happy New - the blog will be back in 2008 and have a safe Holiday season.

I decided to write for this blog to share the experience of the DUI school experience in Marin County.  I have about 6 weeks left in my group sessions (this is after the six weeks of "education" sessions) and am winding down my time.  Group sessions are more interesting than the education sessions since you actually get to hear the stories of other people and their DUIs and what they are going through.  The format of the group sessions is quite simple.  First everyone in the groups share their "highs" and "lows" from the week.  Basically this means that people share what went on in their lives during the week (how work was, what they did for fun, if there were any problems, etc..) Then we have a variable topic each week where we talk about some aspect of alcohol, as you can imagin this is usually on the negative effects or implications of drinking too much.

That being said, let me get into it. 

More Soon.