Final Thoughts

FINAL THOUGHTS

I've tried to make this blog as informative as possible.  I've also tried to make it pretty fact-based.  I've decided to reserve more of my opinions about this whole process for this final section here.  I've decided to write these thoughts in bullet-point.  They might be a little random and out of order.

• There are lots of states where you can have a drink or two at a bar after work and drive home without getting a DUI.  Arizona isn't one of them.  
• Buzzed driving is Drunk driving.  I know you've seen this on billboards.  I've always laughed at that in the past. I've thought, "Silly Arizona, buzzed driving IS NOT drunk driving.  I know the difference between buzzed and drunk."  Well unfortunately, in the eyes of the law buzzed driving IS indeed drunk driving, in that if you're buzzed- you're getting a DUI.
• The DUI laws have created an industry.  They've created opportunities for many businesses to make a lot of money.  DUI offenders bring big $$ into the state and jail system.  After this there are several other companies that get a piece of the pie: the CHC (home detention), SAGE (alcohol screening and classes), Traffic Survival School, and QuickStart- among others (ignition interlock devices).  You can reference my "Out of Pocket Cost" section to see exactly how much money these companies got.  With DUI offenders feeding money into the jails and giving jobs to all of these other people who work for the various DUI related companies- one starts to wonder what would happen if there WEREN'T DUI offenders.
• There were certain parts of my punishment that I felt were useful in changing my behaviour of drinking and driving.  Other elements were a complete waste and didn't teach me a thing.

               Things that made sense:

• Ignition Interlock Device:  Yes, it's a total pain, but what better way to stop someone from having a few drinks then driving home?  Although it made it impossible to go out and have just one drink then drive home- that was a rather small concession to make.  After I got my DUI I vowed I would never drink and drive again and the interlock device helped get me in the habit. In fact, I can say that it helped it become a way of life.
• First 48 hours in Tent City:  Tent City sucked.  It was hot, boring, and food was terrible.  I believe that the first 48 hours (and then the release process) was enough to make me not want to go back.

               Things that were totally pointless:

• Home Detention:  I think they threw this punishment in there just to annoy the DUI offender, and to wet the beak of the CHC.  The "house arrest" portion was just a huge inconvenience (I wasn't allowed to go outside to WATER MY PLANTS- what is that supposed to teach me).  Then the whole thing about having to stay sober for 24 days.  What is that?  If I felt I had a drinking problem and wanted to never drink again I would join AA and be done with it.  But the fact is that I don't  have a drinking problem.  Not drinking for 24 days wasn't hard- it was just annoying.  Sometimes I like to have a glass of wine or two after work.  For some reason the court finds that unacceptable.  So you know what I did the very day I got my ankle bracelet off and turned in my Sobrietor? I went to Total Wine and bought a nice bottle of Malbec and drank the whole thing.  Thank you very much Court of Scottsdale.  
• Tent City Work Release:  Also just a huge inconvenience.  It was no worse than the initial 48 hours (in fact, it was easier).  But you pay for every day of jail you spend there, so- go figure.
• Alcohol/Substance Abuse Classes:  I was assigned to attend two 8-hour substance abuse classes.  The classes were over-filled and lead by a jaded substance abuse counselor.  If you read my section on the substance abuse classes they go into greater depth.  But the lasting impression is that the classes taught me very little and did not dissuade me to drink in any way.  It was a fruitless attempt at promoting abstinence.

I think the take home message for me is: Don't drink and drive.  Not ever.  It is so incredibly not worth it.  I know that drinking alcohol can build you up and make you feel good and infallible and all- but it can lead to a giant chunk of unhappiness-MAJORLY.  I can say without a doubt that I learned my lesson.  If I want to go out and have a good time- I'm all about Uber or Lyft or a cab.  So cheap in comparison.  SO worth it- so what if you have to pick your car up the next day?  It's not about how drunk you were- it's about what cops will peg you as.  That's the major difference.  People in AZ don't realize that and they need to.  So you feel fine to drive- GREAT!  But what does the cop that pulls you over for some random malarkey have to say about it?  Knowledge is power- don't be dumb.  

The Cost $$$

Here's a breakdown of the monies that I have spent on this error in judgement:


Court fees (incl. jail time):             $3493.00
Vehicle towing fee:                             79.00
CHC initial intake (+ week 1):          151.00
SAGE alcohol screening:                    80.00
CHC week two:                               101.00
Traffic Survival School:                     100.00
CHC week three:                             101.00
CHC final week:                                 44.00
SAGE 16-hour class:                        140.00
Ignition Interlock (QuickStart):          987.00
Drivers License Reinstatement:            35.00
SR-22 ($44/yr x 3 yrs)*                   132.00
                                                    _________

TOTAL:                                       $5443.00


* SR-22- This is a "high risk" insurance that the MVD might want you to get in order to get your license reinstated.  Not EVERYONE who recievese a DUI has to get this insurance- so check with the MVD to make sure.  The MVD will likely require you get keep this insurance for three years.  Proof of an SR-22 has to be sent to them in order to get your license back.

Ignition Interlock Device

The final element of my DUI punishment was to have an ignition interlock installed in my car.  This is mandated by the Motor Vehicle Department in order to get your license back- otherwise it will stay suspended.

I contacted four different interlock providers (a list of the providers was given on my DUI "corrective action" order from the MVD) for general information about their prices and their program.  The companies I contacted were 1A Smartstart, Guardian, Lifesaver, and QuickStart.  They were all relatively similar.  Cost per month was between $69-$88.  They all seemed to boast that they didn't charge an installation fee- but after calling several places I realized none of them charge an installation fee.  Some charged a removal fee, which ranged from $50-$75.  Some had promotions where if you paid the entire 12 months in advance they would waive the removal fee, and some said you could get one month free for paying in advance.  It is mandated by MVD that you go and have your interlock device checked once a month for the first three months, then you can cut it down to once every-other month if you agree to pay 2 months at a time.

I decided to go with QuickStart (http://quickstartaz.com/)- primarily because a friend had gone with them and was very happy.  There was no "warm up" time for the device, which is pretty important- especially in the hot summer.  A different friend of mine had told me that when he had to have an interlock device a few years ago his device would sometimes take up to 10 minutes to warm up before he could start his car.  That sounded miserable to me.  Also, QuickStart had a location very close to my house- which was definitely convenient for those monthly check-ins.  I decided to pay the entire 12 months in advance, which got me one month free.  There was no install fee or removal fee.

The other reason I went with them was because they offered the "cup".  It looks like a Thirstbuster and your interlock device goes inside.  When you blow into it it looks like you might just be taking a drink.  Unfortunately- the cord for the device comes out the bottom of the cup, and it made it impossible for me to keep the cup in the cup holder- so I ended up not using the cup.  This was a bummer because I paid an extra $11 a month for that stupid cup.  It was called the "Tier II" program.  The only other upside is that I have theft protection.  If the device is stolen or damaged I only have to pay the deductible- which is like $250 or something- instead of the $2,200- which is what the device costs.

Using the device is easy.  It makes a noise and tells me exactly when to blow into it.  Also, a little blue light they installed on my dash goes off- just in case the music in my car is loud.  I must blow into the interlock before I turn my car on.  It will tell me PASS (so far it hasn't told me anything different).  I have heard stories of people drinking too much the night before and the car not starting.  So far this hasn't happened to me.  One night I had 4 glasses of wine, then got about 7 hours of sleep, woke up about 2 hours before I tried my car- and was able to start it fine- if that gives you an idea.

The device will go off about every 15-25 minutes while on the road.  It just says, "A running test is required."  At this point, I have 6 minutes to blow into it.  I usually blow into it right away.  If I'm at a stop light or right next to another driver, I might wait- Yeah, I'm a little embarrassed.  But 6 minutes is a long time.

That's about all there is to that!

MONTHLY/BI-MONTHLY CHECK-INS

Depending on your "contract" with the Interlock company- you might have either monthly or bi-monthly check-ins.  They are very quick and easy.  For me- once every two months I would go into the Quickstart office and I would bring my Interlock device with me.  They would like to know how many miles where on my car.  They would then plug my device into their equipment and they would download the information from my device.  At this time they will also set up your next appointment with them.  Very quick and painless- but necessary.


**Update:  I've had my device for about a month and a half now.  About 2 weeks ago I went out to a concert and I drank A LOT.  I don't really even remember the very end of the night.  Probably got home around 12:30am.  I woke up around 8, then tried to start my car around 9:15am and I got a Fail.  So this means my blood alcohol was above .03.  My husband had to take me to work.  Boo :(

GETTING YOUR INTERLOCK UNIT REMOVED

Today was the day that I was finally able to get my interlock removed.  So- let's back up a little bit.  At my last Quickstart check they gave me a piece of paper that told me exactly what I needed to do in order to get this god forsaken thing out of my car.  I would need to call the DMV and find out the exact date I could get it removed.  I would then need to make a removal appointment with Quickstart.  Also, Quickstart recommended getting a new driver's license, one that didn't say "Ignition Interlock" on it- BEFORE getting your Interlock removed.  So naturally, I planned to do all above in the same day.

I arrived at the DMV at 7:15am- forty five minutes before opening.  I was 3rd in line.  I was able to get a temporary- paper copy of my new ID.  I waited a few hours until my Quickstart appointment.  When I arrived I took out my interlock device as I always did and brought it inside.  They then told me that I would need to go back and start my car- and they would meet me out there.  They did so, and I went inside and waited.  I probably waited for about 15 minutes.  They had me sign a piece of paper stating that the unit in my car was removed.  I also went ahead with the voluntary customer survey- I mean, what not?  Then my car was done and ready to be driven- interlock free!

I have to say- driving my car without the interlock was trippy- not having to blow into that thing every 15 minutes was AMAZING! I felt like Mel Gibson at the end of Braveheart.

Substance Abuse Classes

I had chosen Sage Counseling as the company that I would do my alcohol screening (See 'Alcohol Screening': 6/17/2013), and was assigned to take 16 hours of substance abuse classes.  These classes were to be completed as two 8-hour courses over a Saturday and Sunday.  While I was given the option of which weekend to take this class and what location, the class was ONLY offered on a Saturday-Sunday.  So if you work one of both of those days, you'll have to request time off.

The class I chose was located in central Phoenix in a business building.  Both classes were scheduled for 9am-5pm and cost $70 per class.  I was told to bring a money order for $140- so I did.  However, she was also accepting cash.  NO credit cards.

The class was held in a room with chairs all around the outside and was completely packed.  Some people had to drag chairs from a neighboring classroom and sit in the middle.  The class was about 85% men, and contained people who were there by order of their probation officer, as well as people who had received DUIs like me.  The facilitator showed some really boring videos about how drugs and alcohol affect brain functioning.  It was not incredibly interesting, but I suppose it was informative.  The class was a combination of reading, group work, and videos from 1975.  Break for lunch was an hour, and we got out of class early at 4:30pm.

The second day of the class pretty much mimicked the first, but this time we got out even earlier- at 3:45.  That was awesome!

All in all- I didn't learn very much, but I payed my dues and served my time.

Home Detention

Part of my sentence was 24 days Home Detention.  This began the Monday after I was released from Tent City.  The organization that conducted my home detention was CHC (Correctional Healthcare Companies) Community Health Services.

The Home Monitoring consists of two major components:

1. An ankle bracelet that serves as a GPS, so that the CHC knows where I am and when.
2. A home breathalyzer that sounds off randomly, alerting me to blow into it to test my BAC.

I'll start with the first element:

The Ankle Bracelet

So basically, when I went in for my first meeting with the CHC, I gave them my work schedule.  I told them it takes me 45 minutes to drive to and from work, so they allowed me an hour each way.  When I am at work at have to STAY at work.  I was not allowed to go out for lunch or anything.  When I am supposed to be at home I have to STAY at home.  I was not allowed to walk the dog, or even check the mail- I needed to be inside the house.  I was allowed 4 hours a week of "errand" time.  This needs to be scheduled with CHC, and includes drive time.  My errand time had to be done with by 7pm.  I was also allowed to attend any court required classes, such as alcohol classes or Traffic Survival School.  But again, it had to be scheduled with them.  Once a week I had to go in to confirm the next week's schedule, pay my weekly dues ($101) and have my ankle device checked to make sure it was still on and functioning properly.

The ankle device needed to be charged about every 18-24 hours and it takes about an hour to charge.  There is a little blinking light on the side that turns red when it is really low.  Don't let it get too low because it will start beeping.  It's loud and annoying and if you are some place like work and trying to hide your ankle bracelet- it's really embarrassing (yes, this happened to me.  Everyone was trying to figure out where the beeping was coming from and I was just like, "I don't know!".  Awkward.).  There is a cord that will come with the bracelet that plugs into the wall- it charges similarly to a cell phone and will make a beeping noise and say, "Battery charged" out loud when it is done charging.

I put a sweatband under the bracelet because it is really uncomfortable on my ankle and I was getting a bruise.

The bracelet is water resistant, but not water proof- so you can take a shower, but the device can't be submerged (e.g. bath or pool).

Like I said, I was trying to conceal the ankle bracelet while at work, so I had to wear wide leg/ boot cut pants to work for the 24 days.  The device is far too chunky to wear under boots.  I even had to be careful with some maxi skirts- they had to be really long and flowy in order to now show the bracelet.

The Home Breathalyzer

Also known as the "Sobrietor" (catchy name, right?).  This is a device that checks whether I have consumed any alcohol.  The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden while in the home detention program.  So what happens is about 2-3 times a day (always while you are scheduled to be at home), the Sobrietor will make a loud siren-type sound.  I had to pick it up and hold it against my face.  Then I had to put it down and go rinse my mouth out (I guess they do this in case you were in the middle of eating when the thing goes off).  After about three minutes, the Sobrietor would make a long flat tone, then I would pick it up again and begin the voice recognition portion of the test.  I needed to repeat the words, "America", "Red", and "Eagle".  After completing this the machine would ask me to Inhale, then Blow.  The machine would then say, "Stop", and the test is done.  

This machine requires a home land-line that is reserved JUST for it. So if you already have a home land line, you will need to get another one, or start using your current one JUST for this thing.  If you don't have a home land-line, you need to get one.  But they are only like $10 a month from COX.

The Sobrietor is easy to use, but a huge pain in the butt.  Most mornings it went off while I was either about to get in the shower, in the shower, or had JUST gotten out of the shower and was still drying off.  During these times I usually didn't hear it and my husband had to come tell me it was going off.  I honestly don't know what I would do if I lived alone.  The CHC requires that the device be connected through your modem, and ours is in our office- so I couldn't move the device closer to the bedroom.  Also, the device does not have a volume adjuster- so the volume it's at is all you get.  My suggestion is to keep your doors throughout your house open so you can better hear it.

Exactly WHEN the Sobrietor goes off while you're home is a crap-shoot.  It would typically go off once in the morning before I left for work, but sometimes it wouldn't go off at all.  A few times in went off twice.  As for the evenings, it would usually go off twice; however a few times it didn't go off at all in the evening.  The latest at night it ever went off was 11:30pm.  That was a bummer, as I was already sleeping.  But it never went off at some ridiculous time like 3am or something- so I don't think that's something to worry about.

From what I was told at the CHC, this Sobrietor is incredibly sensitive, even certain mouthwashes can be detected as alcohol and register you positive.  The Home Detention program is an alternative to jail time- so if you violate this program, they'll send you back to Tent City to complete the rest of your 30 days.  It's not at all worth it to risk it.  Just go the 24 days without drinking and celebrate with a big glass of wine (or beer, or gin, or whatever your poison is) when it's done.

Anyhow, that's pretty much it!

This went on for 24 days, then I packed the thing up and took it back to the CHC, and they took my ankle bracelet off for me.

Traffic Survival School

If you've ever been to Defensive Driving School then you're pretty much prepared for Traffic Survival School.

It's 8 hours, and there is a one hour lunch break in the middle.

The instructor I had was pretty entertaining- made some horrible puns and was generally a complete goofball- but I was thankful for that.  We could have gotten stuck with the Ben Stein type.

Unlike Defensive Driving School, the class does not focus much on individual laws.  The bigger focus is on motivations and personal choices.  They give you a packet that you fill out throughout the class.  There is also a good amount of group work and videos involved.

Be sure when you arrive that you bring your order to take the class that you got in the mail from the MVD- they need this.  They are able to print one out for you but it costs $3 cash.

They only accept payment though cashier's check or money order.  If you don't have one of those you will have to re-register for the class at a different time.

Don't be even one minute late.  Our class facilitator locked the door at EXACTLY 8:00am.  Your best bet is to arrive about 15 minutes early- that way you can get signed in and everything.

All in all the class is generally painless.  Probably not the way you'd like to be spending your Saturday or Sunday, but hey- it's one of the less agonizing parts of the sentence.

Random Tips About Tent City

Here are just a few tips and some random information about Tent City, some of this I might have already mentioned:

• Bring a watch. Some people didn't bring a watch because they didn't want to be looking at the all day- but it would behoove you to bring one.  You will need to know when to drop your badge off for work release.
• Don't wear a tank top or short shorts.  The piece of paper the court gave me said nothing about what type of clothing to wear.  Your shoulders and midriff must be covered.
• If you're going in the summer, dress cool.  Wear clothes that breathe.  I wore a pair of knee-length leggings one night and I was dying.  They were cotton, but I was so hot!  Loose fitting, thin clothing is the best- trust me!
• Bring $1 bills and quarters.  There is a change machine that will make change for $5s, but you'd be best to just play it safe.  You can bring in a total of $40- no more.
• Wear comfortable shoes.  I saw some of the girls wearing skimpy little flats.  While these are fine for the concrete- a lot of the area is rock and gravel.  Didn't look very comfy.
• In either early morning or after the sun goes down you can pass the time by taking laps around the tents.  It's good exercise considering you spend the majority of the hot days on your butt.
• Bring a book.  A long one.
• If you are there in the summer- bring a small towel to get wet and keep around your neck or put over your face in your bunk.  You can also fill a water bottle up with cold water from the spicket- then go to the bathroom and drench your shirt in it.  It helps!
• It's a total crap-shoot as to the time you'll get released on your last day, so don't make plans and don't plan to go to work.  You won't get any sleep and you won't be up for anything.