1st offense DUI during medical school

[idiotman1234]

First of all, let me just say that I wish I could express how much self-frustration, sadness, regret, and anguish I am feeling. What I did was extremely stupid. Not even getting into how inconsiderate of others I was, I may have just jeopardized my career, my financial wellbeing, and my overall future. I’m posting this to ask for genuine advice so please if you feel the urge to berate me on how terrible of a person I am just know whatever you want to say to me I’ve said 1000x worse already to myself.

Instead of a long drawn out paragraph and because of the sensitive legal nature of my situation I will post this as succinctly as possible without going into too much of the specific detail:
____________________________________________________________________________

1. Charged with a DUI. 1st offense. All I will say is I am in my first two years of medical school.

2. Not considered a felony in my state. No jail time, things could change depending on the prosecution.

3. Hired DUI specialist lawyer familiar with medical professionals.

4. Have not reported to school, but have no intention of hiding it from them. Waiting to hear from lawyer after they get more details and can formulate a strategy/give a better idea of what my options are.
____________________________________________________________________________

Concerns:

1. I go to an administratively unfriendly school. Good chance they will expel or suspend me.

2. Residency options and programs (if I’m even allowed to stay). I never wanted to do anything super competitive, but this is obviously still a big deal.

3. When do I report to school?

4. Is there anything I can do right now to make my situation better?

5. If I am expelled, school does not explicitly outline punishments for my situation in student handbook. Can I appeal/challenge legally?


Thank you for taking the time to read and give me any and all advice…

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[charleston27]

I would read very carefully your student handbook on their policy for misdemeanors and felonies. Likely they are required to be reported to the school.

Now, presuming you're in Wisconsin and got an OWI as a first offense it's technically neither a misdemeanor or a felony and you can definitely skirt around having to tell the school that- but I'd consult a lawyer first regardless. Also depends on whether you have yearly background checks and whether it would show up on that or not- again question for a lawyer.

The main thing you can do right now is count your lucky stars and stop ****ing drinking and driving.

First of all, let me just say that I wish I could express how much self-frustration, sadness, regret, and anguish I am feeling. What I did was extremely stupid. Not even getting into how inconsiderate of others I was, I may have just jeopardized my career, my financial wellbeing, and my overall future. I’m posting this to ask for genuine advice so please if you feel the urge to berate me on how terrible of a person I am just know whatever you want to say to me I’ve said 1000x worse already to myself.

Instead of a long drawn out paragraph and because of the sensitive legal nature of my situation I will post this as succinctly as possible without going into too much of the specific detail:
____________________________________________________________________________

1. Charged with a DUI. 1st offense. All I will say is I am in my first two years of medical school.

2. Not considered a felony in my state. No jail time, things could change depending on the prosecution.

3. Hired DUI specialist lawyer familiar with medical professionals.

4. Have not reported to school, but have no intention of hiding it from them. Waiting to hear from lawyer after they get more details and can formulate a strategy/give a better idea of what my options are.
____________________________________________________________________________

Concerns:

1. I go to an administratively unfriendly school. Good chance they will expel or suspend me.

2. Residency options and programs (if I’m even allowed to stay). I never wanted to do anything super competitive, but this is obviously still a big deal.

3. When do I report to school?

4. Is there anything I can do right now to make my situation better?

5. If I am expelled, school does not explicitly outline punishments for my situation in student handbook. Can I appeal/challenge legally?


Thank you for taking the time to read and give me any and all advice…

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Residency programs may or may not care about this. The more time there is between the event and the match the better -- this gives you more of a chance to show that there have been no further episodes. It's impossible to "rule out" any one field -- it will really depend upon the PD / program. But overall it will be a negative, for sure.

What can you do? First you need to have someone else determine whether you have an alcohol problem. Even if not, you might want to consider enrolling in your state's physician health program, if one exists. This can be seen as a very proactive step towards addressing this issue.

 

[Crayola227]

I would stay away from the PHP for now, for sure.

I second having the attorney guide you, pouring over your school's rules and by laws that you can read. If you attorney can stomach it and the omsbudsman is truly confidential, they might be of some help.

I would talk to my primary care doctor about this and ask them to do a full eval on you regarding substance issues so it can be documented, if they can't do this ask for referral to someone who can.

It's best if all the care you get is in an EHR separate from the school's, most schools have that in place for Student Health but you should always doublecheck.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

You hired a DUI lawyer specializing in doctors?

That's an interesting niche

 

[Crayola227]

You hired a DUI lawyer specializing in doctors?

That's an interesting niche

I'm surprised how many lawyers can be found that not only have experience with physicians but have "subspecialties" within that - for DUI, med board licensing issues, malpractice, employee contracts, mental health, PHPs

 

[Crayola227]

Remember OP, if you do any inpt or outpt substance abuse treatment, that is almost ALWAYS asked by medical licensing boards and often hospital paperwork.

They also like to ask if you've been involved in a PHP.

So when I say go to your doc for an eval, don't do the above necessarily.

Listen to your attorney.

 

[Taddy Mason]

You hired a DUI lawyer specializing in doctors?

That's an interesting niche

Lol - there are 2 attorneys where I grew up who deal primarily with this exact demographic, own 2 bars on the side, and I've never encountered one of them sober...

 

[cbrons]

First of all, let me just say that I wish I could express how much self-frustration, sadness, regret, and anguish I am feeling. What I did was extremely stupid. Not even getting into how inconsiderate of others I was, I may have just jeopardized my career, my financial wellbeing, and my overall future. I’m posting this to ask for genuine advice so please if you feel the urge to berate me on how terrible of a person I am just know whatever you want to say to me I’ve said 1000x worse already to myself.

Instead of a long drawn out paragraph and because of the sensitive legal nature of my situation I will post this as succinctly as possible without going into too much of the specific detail:
____________________________________________________________________________

1. Charged with a DUI. 1st offense. All I will say is I am in my first two years of medical school.

2. Not considered a felony in my state. No jail time, things could change depending on the prosecution.

3. Hired DUI specialist lawyer familiar with medical professionals.

4. Have not reported to school, but have no intention of hiding it from them. Waiting to hear from lawyer after they get more details and can formulate a strategy/give a better idea of what my options are.
____________________________________________________________________________

Concerns:

1. I go to an administratively unfriendly school. Good chance they will expel or suspend me.

2. Residency options and programs (if I’m even allowed to stay). I never wanted to do anything super competitive, but this is obviously still a big deal.

3. When do I report to school?

4. Is there anything I can do right now to make my situation better?

5. If I am expelled, school does not explicitly outline punishments for my situation in student handbook. Can I appeal/challenge legally?


Thank you for taking the time to read and give me any and all advice…

School cannot expell you unless these types of offenses are listed as expellable offenses in the student code of conduct

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

 

[lymphocyte]

Just curious @aProgDirector: if there were an underlying substance use disorder, might not the ADA attach? This would still be a huge red mark on residency applications, but it could keep @idiotman1234 from getting expelled.

@idiotman1234, you could even make a compelling case on ERAS or to your school's administrative board that, "I have a problem, it came to a head with a DUI, and now I'm seeing a psychiatrist regularly, doing routine MCV or GGT or BAL or whatever for monitoring, attending AA, etc." That at least demonstrates awareness and a clear plan for proactive management, along with contrition (which is rarely enough on its own). You're still stuffed but less so. And it's a great indicator to the State Board that you're taking things seriously when you inform them.

Regardless, it's always best to present a problem with a solution. And maybe it's better to proactively address an underlying issue than to outright minimise it.

I would delay notifying anybody (if you can) until you've built the strongest documented case for this never happening again.

@idiotman1234, I'm glad you're alive and nobody else got hurt. You already know that you really ****ed up, and I don't want to pile on. I'm just sorry that you're in this position.

 

[Crayola227]

School cannot expell you unless these types of offenses are listed as expellable offenses in the student code of conduct

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

if they list moral turpitude, that's enough

 

[Crayola227]

Just curious @aProgDirector: if there were an underlying substance use disorder, might not the ADA attach? This would still be a huge red mark on residency applications, but it could keep @idiotman1234 from getting expelled.

@idiotman1234, you could even make a compelling case on ERAS or to your school's administrative board that, "I have a problem, it came to a head with a DUI, and now I'm seeing a psychiatrist regularly, doing routine MCV or GGT or BAL or whatever for monitoring, attending AA, etc." That at least demonstrates awareness and a clear plan for proactive management, along with contrition (which is rarely enough on its own). You're still stuffed but less so. And it's a great indicator to the State Board that you're taking things seriously when you decide to inform them.

It's always best to present a problem with a solution. And maybe it's better to proactively address an underlying issue than to outright minimise it.

@idiotman1234, I'm glad you're alive and nobody else got hurt. You already know that you really ****ed up, and I don't want to pile on. I'm sorry you're in this position.

No, unless you actually have a substance use disorder, do not go down this pathway.

If you have a substance use disorder, go down this pathway.

In any case, do nothing without the advice of your attorney.

 

[lymphocyte]

No, unless you actually have a substance use disorder, do not go down this pathway.

If you have a substance use disorder, go down this pathway.

In any case, do nothing without the advice of your attorney.

You're right. Emphasis on the if. And strongly agree about the lawyer.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Just curious @aProgDirector: if there were an underlying substance use disorder, might not the ADA attach? This would still be a huge red mark on residency applications, but it could keep @idiotman1234 from getting expelled.

The student version of the ADA ensures that everyone receives an adequate education, even those with major disabilities. In order for the ADA to attach, the OP would need to prove this was a chronic condition that affects one or more major life activities. If their performance in school has been fine, this could be a tough argument to make. I agree I would only go down this route if the student were to be threatened with expulsion. Although alcoholism is covered by the ADA, schools are still allowed to discipline students for alcohol use.

Overall the advice in this thread is very solid. Get evaluated by a health professional, best outside of your school's system. Talk to a lawyer to sort out how this is likely to play out. I think it's best that your school admin hears about this from you, rather than finding out some other way, although there's always the chance that they won't ever hear about it. By the time you're meeting with your school admin, you should have a plan of how to address this.

 

[Lee Ik-jun MD]

Bottom line Up Front : This is NOT the end of your medical journey.

you have 2 years to turn this around and make your residency application stand out.
make sure "this" is part of your personal statement, because they will find out one way or the other.

during MS4, my name was included in a law suit for medical malpractice, for the simplest reason that my name was on the chart
since i did a week of progress notes for that patient.
anyway, hospital settled, there was no trial and i thought that was the end of it.

However, during one my interviews, one of the faculty asked me about my views on defensive medicine
and legal consequences of practicing medicine.
i don't know if she have an idea of what happened OR it was a totally random question.
i did ask a classmate who interviewed in that program and he said he never was asked that question.

So, Whether you start a movement or volunteer for a cause, it's totally up to you.
In California, everything must be disclosed.
i have to explain why i got a speeding ticket when it was time to apply/renew licensure.
Not disclosing this is a sign of dishonestly and a ground for denial.

With your school, i don't know. Student Handbook is your best bet.
i honestly don't think you have to disclose it unless they specifically asked it you for it.
so don't go poking the bear.

Good luck and stay sober.

 

[pre med 2014]

Tell them in the near future all cars are gonna be self driving anyways and there will be no such thing as DUI's anymore so it doesn't even matter


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[pre med 2014]

Just think of all the DUI attorneys specializing in doctors who are gonna run out of work


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[MSTPMotorcyclist]

If the school only lists misdemeanors and felonies, and not moral turpitude in the student handbook, remember: innocent until proven guilty.

 

[osckey]

I know a a guy who got a DUI+Reckless driving (crashed into a property) in M1 and is still in school. Talk with your administration.

 

[Stagg737]

Just think of all the DUI attorneys who are gonna run out of work

FTFY.

I know a a guy who got a DUI+Reckless driving (crashed into a property) in M1 and is still in school. Talk with your administration.

At another school he might have been dismissed on the spot. OP has already said his administration is not student-friendly. I wouldn't risk going to the school without consulting a lawyer and having a plan ready in advance (which should obviously include never drinking and driving again).

 

[osckey]

FTFY.



At another school he might have been dismissed on the spot. OP has already said his administration is not student-friendly. I wouldn't risk going to the school without consulting a lawyer and having a plan ready in advance (which should obviously include never drinking and driving again).

Understood. OP should definitely consult a lawyer. I'm pretty sure that's what my buddy did.

 

[croak]

If you're going to have a few drinks don't get behind the wheel—you KNOW this! Whatever the cost, good legal counsel will pay off over the course of your career. What if you were on call? (just some older perspective) - Spare the sensorium altering substances, they'll screw you up, and have the potential to wreck your career. GOOD LEGAL COUNSEL - accept no substitute. Good luck.

 

[idiotman1234]

Residency programs may or may not care about this. The more time there is between the event and the match the better -- this gives you more of a chance to show that there have been no further episodes. It's impossible to "rule out" any one field -- it will really depend upon the PD / program. But overall it will be a negative, for sure.

What can you do? First you need to have someone else determine whether you have an alcohol problem. Even if not, you might want to consider enrolling in your state's physician health program, if one exists. This can be seen as a very proactive step towards addressing this issue.

I am looking at attending AA. I want to go to AA to show that this mistake meant a lot to me and that I never again want to be in this situation again. I want to show that I am making proactive steps to change.

I would stay away from the PHP for now, for sure.

I second having the attorney guide you, pouring over your school's rules and by laws that you can read. If you attorney can stomach it and the omsbudsman is truly confidential, they might be of some help.

I would talk to my primary care doctor about this and ask them to do a full eval on you regarding substance issues so it can be documented, if they can't do this ask for referral to someone who can.

It's best if all the care you get is in an EHR separate from the school's, most schools have that in place for Student Health but you should always doublecheck.

I am considering hiring an employment/contract lawyer since my current one is not familiar with it. At this point it's too early, but it's on the table. Thank you for your advice!

School cannot expell you unless these types of offenses are listed as expellable offenses in the student code of conduct

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

I am afraid that because my handbook is so vague they will be able to punish me how they see fit despite there not being specific stipulations.

Just curious @aProgDirector: if there were an underlying substance use disorder, might not the ADA attach? This would still be a huge red mark on residency applications, but it could keep @idiotman1234 from getting expelled.

@idiotman1234, you could even make a compelling case on ERAS or to your school's administrative board that, "I have a problem, it came to a head with a DUI, and now I'm seeing a psychiatrist regularly, doing routine MCV or GGT or BAL or whatever for monitoring, attending AA, etc." That at least demonstrates awareness and a clear plan for proactive management, along with contrition (which is rarely enough on its own). You're still stuffed but less so. And it's a great indicator to the State Board that you're taking things seriously when you inform them.

Regardless, it's always best to present a problem with a solution. And maybe it's better to proactively address an underlying issue than to outright minimise it.

I would delay notifying anybody (if you can) until you've built the strongest documented case for this never happening again.

@idiotman1234, I'm glad you're alive and nobody else got hurt. You already know that you really ****ed up, and I don't want to pile on. I'm just sorry that you're in this position.

Thank you for your sympathy and compassionate as well as helpful response. I will take it to heart!

if they list moral turpitude, that's enough

This is what I'm afraid of. I've been reading and re-reading the handbook but it is very vague...

No, unless you actually have a substance use disorder, do not go down this pathway.

If you have a substance use disorder, go down this pathway.

In any case, do nothing without the advice of your attorney.

Thank you. I will.

The student version of the ADA ensures that everyone receives an adequate education, even those with major disabilities. In order for the ADA to attach, the OP would need to prove this was a chronic condition that affects one or more major life activities. If their performance in school has been fine, this could be a tough argument to make. I agree I would only go down this route if the student were to be threatened with expulsion. Although alcoholism is covered by the ADA, schools are still allowed to discipline students for alcohol use.

Overall the advice in this thread is very solid. Get evaluated by a health professional, best outside of your school's system. Talk to a lawyer to sort out how this is likely to play out. I think it's best that your school admin hears about this from you, rather than finding out some other way, although there's always the chance that they won't ever hear about it. By the time you're meeting with your school admin, you should have a plan of how to address this.

I definitely intend to report it to my administration myself. I have no intention to hide anything from them. I guess I'm just worried right now about timing. It's a sinking dread in the pit of my stomach.

Bottom line Up Front : This is NOT the end of your medical journey.

you have 2 years to turn this around and make your residency application stand out.
make sure "this" is part of your personal statement, because they will find out one way or the other.

during MS4, my name was included in a law suit for medical malpractice, for the simplest reason that my name was on the chart
since i did a week of progress notes for that patient.
anyway, hospital settled, there was no trial and i thought that was the end of it.

However, during one my interviews, one of the faculty asked me about my views on defensive medicine
and legal consequences of practicing medicine.
i don't know if she have an idea of what happened OR it was a totally random question.
i did ask a classmate who interviewed in that program and he said he never was asked that question.

So, Whether you start a movement or volunteer for a cause, it's totally up to you.
In California, everything must be disclosed.
i have to explain why i got a speeding ticket when it was time to apply/renew licensure.
Not disclosing this is a sign of dishonestly and a ground for denial.

With your school, i don't know. Student Handbook is your best bet.
i honestly don't think you have to disclose it unless they specifically asked it you for it.
so don't go poking the bear.

Good luck and stay sober.

Thank you this was a very helpful anecdote. I am glad things worked out for you and I can only hope I will end up okay as well. I will do my best and hope.

 

[Big&Juicy]

Going to reiterate what others have said in that the student handbook is your best friend. You absolutely must pay attention to the semantics used in your case. For the most part, schools and employers will focus on your CONVICTION. By saying you are charged with a DUI, I assume you have already received formal charges from the Magistrate overseeing your case. If so, keep a hold onto this documentation as it can be helpful in any appeals process with your school with specific information such as BAC. From my understanding, you have currently been arrested and charged, but not convicted. Therefore, you are not liable to disclose this incident to your program right now since you are still undergoing the process. A lawyer will most likely tell you the same thing since you are currently safeguarded by the semantics in policies and laws. To reiterate, if asked if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you respond no despite any guilt and shame you may feel.

If you have not already, look into diversion programs if you are a first time offender. People make mistakes and despite what people on here may say, we are not terrible people for making those mistakes. A diversion program such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) take offenders off the traditional legal proceedings path to avoid a trial and therefore, a conviction. Most first time offenders will qualify for an ARD if this simply was a stupid mistake. ARD involves fines, community service, and an Alcohol Highway Safety Training course. Upon completion of all these requirements, you will qualify for an expungement of your record. That is correct, your criminal record will be sealed and clean for future background checks. The only catch of ARD is should you get another DUI, within 10 years, this sealed case will comeback and the next case will be tried as your second offense and consequently, face the penalties of second offense.

With all that being said, this incident will affect you for the rest of your life. You will feel ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed in yourself. But that feeling of having all of this taken away from you will only make you stronger. I really empathize with you. Surround yourself with supportive people and they will lift you up when you need it. Your life is not over, but you must do your due diligence in finding a solution. My suggestion is to only notify your program after you have consulted a lawyer, looked at possible consequences and diversion programs your state may provide, follow through with those consequences, and then draft a letter to your school with the timeline of your case detailing everything and explaining how you have grown from this experience.

Good luck!

 

[MSTPMotorcyclist]

Going to reiterate what others have said in that the student handbook is your best friend. You absolutely must pay attention to the semantics used in your case. For the most part, schools and employers will focus on your CONVICTION. By saying you are charged with a DUI, I assume you have already received formal charges from the Magistrate overseeing your case. If so, keep a hold onto this documentation as it can be helpful in any appeals process with your school with specific information such as BAC. From my understanding, you have currently been arrested and charged, but not convicted. Therefore, you are not liable to disclose this incident to your program right now since you are still undergoing the process. A lawyer will most likely tell you the same thing since you are currently safeguarded by the semantics in policies and laws. To reiterate, if asked if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you respond no despite any guilt and shame you may feel.

If you have not already, look into diversion programs if you are a first time offender. People make mistakes and despite what people on here may say, we are not terrible people for making those mistakes. A diversion program such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) take offenders off the traditional legal proceedings path to avoid a trial and therefore, a conviction. Most first time offenders will qualify for an ARD if this simply was a stupid mistake. ARD involves fines, community service, and an Alcohol Highway Safety Training course. Upon completion of all these requirements, you will qualify for an expungement of your record. That is correct, your criminal record will be sealed and clean for future background checks. The only catch of ARD is should you get another DUI, within 10 years, this sealed case will comeback and the next case will be tried as your second offense and consequently, face the penalties of second offense.

With all that being said, this incident will affect you for the rest of your life. You will feel ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed in yourself. But that feeling of having all of this taken away from you will only make you stronger. I really empathize with you. Surround yourself with supportive people and they will lift you up when you need it. Your life is not over, but you must do your due diligence in finding a solution. My suggestion is to only notify your program after you have consulted a lawyer, looked at possible consequences and diversion programs your state may provide, follow through with those consequences, and then draft a letter to your school with the timeline of your case detailing everything and explaining how you have grown from this experience.

Good luck!

What he said. I recently started a thread regarding medical school and "criminal background". Might make you feel a little more at ease.

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[Crayola227]

Going to reiterate what others have said in that the student handbook is your best friend. You absolutely must pay attention to the semantics used in your case. For the most part, schools and employers will focus on your CONVICTION. By saying you are charged with a DUI, I assume you have already received formal charges from the Magistrate overseeing your case. If so, keep a hold onto this documentation as it can be helpful in any appeals process with your school with specific information such as BAC. From my understanding, you have currently been arrested and charged, but not convicted. Therefore, you are not liable to disclose this incident to your program right now since you are still undergoing the process. A lawyer will most likely tell you the same thing since you are currently safeguarded by the semantics in policies and laws. To reiterate, if asked if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you respond no despite any guilt and shame you may feel.

If you have not already, look into diversion programs if you are a first time offender. People make mistakes and despite what people on here may say, we are not terrible people for making those mistakes. A diversion program such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) take offenders off the traditional legal proceedings path to avoid a trial and therefore, a conviction. Most first time offenders will qualify for an ARD if this simply was a stupid mistake. ARD involves fines, community service, and an Alcohol Highway Safety Training course. Upon completion of all these requirements, you will qualify for an expungement of your record. That is correct, your criminal record will be sealed and clean for future background checks. The only catch of ARD is should you get another DUI, within 10 years, this sealed case will comeback and the next case will be tried as your second offense and consequently, face the penalties of second offense.

With all that being said, this incident will affect you for the rest of your life. You will feel ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed in yourself. But that feeling of having all of this taken away from you will only make you stronger. I really empathize with you. Surround yourself with supportive people and they will lift you up when you need it. Your life is not over, but you must do your due diligence in finding a solution. My suggestion is to only notify your program after you have consulted a lawyer, looked at possible consequences and diversion programs your state may provide, follow through with those consequences, and then draft a letter to your school with the timeline of your case detailing everything and explaining how you have grown from this experience.

Good luck!

Keep in mind, only do *some* states have these sorts of policies. Other states and medical boards can and will throw the book at you and leave terrible paper trails.

The good news is that you are in medical school, so you don't have to deal with the board at this point. Medical schools tend to be more forgiving.

Try to get those charges knocked down, if not, it's not the end. The worst case that usually happens is a lot of hoops. If you do have to report it as a DUI when you apply for residencies, it will hurt you but you can still redeem yourself and will likely match if you're smart about the match in general.

If this had happened in residency or as an attending you could be way worse off.

It's always worth the price of the Uber or taxi.
People will argue to live in such a way you won't need my coming advice, but buy a law enforcement quality blowtester, pay the hundred bucks or whatever it is every 1-2 years to keep it calibrated.

I've slept in my darn car to keep from D&D.

 

[Lee Ik-jun MD]

Be careful with getting inside your car.
You can still get a DUI even if you're on a drive way or a parking lot.
So don't even go in your car if you have a few drinks

 

[Crayola227]

Be careful with getting inside your car.
You can still get a DUI even if you're on a drive way or a parking lot.
So don't even go in your car if you have a few drinks

yeah sleeping in your car can still **** you, for sure.

I know I said I slept in my car. In my state the law is if you have the keys in the ignition. I still could've gotten public drunkenness or whatever the heck other trouble applies. Still, better than driving and hitting someone.

my advice tends to straddle the range between the overly paranoid risk averse to harm reduction to damage control oriented. My earlier advice was harm reduction.

another good strategy is planning ahead of time sleeping at a friend's if that's where you started the evening. even if you have to uber or cab or public transport back to your car later that's better.

I've paid a $50 ticket doing that, but still better than a DUI.

I feel bad because this is all hindsight for this person. Except for the fact, that ALL of this advice is 110% applicable to OP because they already have one. They need to use all these strategies for life if they want to keep on keeping on.

 

[padfoot777]

I would meet with the attorney and express your concerns and bring the handbook with you to go over what the next steps should be

 

[TBV]

Didn't read all responses but I'd be careful, my school requires us to report incidents within 7 or 10 days of the incident (too lazy to check) and could dismiss you for hiding it if you take longer.

 

[pre med 2014]

yeah sleeping in your car can still **** you, for sure.

I know I said I slept in my car. In my state the law is if you have the keys in the ignition. I still could've gotten public drunkenness or whatever the heck other trouble applies. Still, better than driving and hitting someone.

on.

What if you got push to start?


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[charmiedermie]

School cannot expell you unless these types of offenses are listed as expellable offenses in the student code of conduct

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

You clearly have not heard of the word "unprofessionalism". It does not have to be listed.

 

[charmiedermie]

yeah sleeping in your car can still **** you, for sure.

I know I said I slept in my car. In my state the law is if you have the keys in the ignition. I still could've gotten public drunkenness or whatever the heck other trouble applies. Still, better than driving and hitting someone.

my advice tends to straddle the range between the overly paranoid risk averse to harm reduction to damage control oriented. My earlier advice was harm reduction.

another good strategy is planning ahead of time sleeping at a friend's if that's where you started the evening. even if you have to uber or cab or public transport back to your car later that's better.

I've paid a $50 ticket doing that, but still better than a DUI.

I feel bad because this is all hindsight for this person. Except for the fact, that ALL of this advice is 110% applicable to OP because they already have one. They need to use all these strategies for life if they want to keep on keeping on.

I don't get why someone's entire life and career should be destroyed forever over one time, a legal substance, and if no one was hurt or killed.

 

[Birdnals]

I don't get why someone's entire life and career should be destroyed forever over one time, a legal substance, and if no one was hurt or killed.

It's harsh but it makes sense. You want to gamble someone else's life and career over driving home drunk? Then you need to be willing to wager your own life and career and decide if it's worth it. Besides, no one's life gets ruined for a one time DUI offense. Uphill battle, sure. Ruined, not quite.

Furthermore, although I don't have any statistics in front of me, I'd be willing to bet everything I own that for an overwhelming majority of people who get a DUI, it was hardly their first time driving drunk.

For OP: As everyone else has mentioned, lawyer up. It'll be worth every penny. Also make sure your school doesn't have a policy about reporting arrests. I've seen language in contracts, honor codes, etc. that stipulate a timely reporting of arrests, even those pending an outcome, so make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot on that one.

 

[cbrons]

You clearly have not heard of the word "unprofessionalism". It does not have to be listed.

Clearly

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

 

[Raryn]

If this had happened in residency or as an attending you could be way worse off.

I'd actually disagree with this. Once you're through training, you're a very valuable commodity. Most states and employers will bend over backwards to keep you able to practice after a first DUI, though they'll make you bend over forwards to comply with monitoring requirements. I haven't heard of someone actually losing their license for alcohol related misadventures until the 3rd or 4th offense. (Obviously, I'm sure the rules are different if someone actually died.) Even drug offenses are usually survivable, though you might have big trouble if you're in anesthesia or EM.

OTOH, a school could have a zero tolerance policy and just give you the boot. Other than your tuition dollars, you're not providing them anything. I'd err on the side of giving the student a second chance and I hope that the school would too, but I'm sure not all of them do.

 

[charmiedermie]

Clearly

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

Sorry, I was more meaning you've been lucky, since it is often used to go after students. They are purposefully non-specific.

 

[pulmoblast]

Your innocent until convicted by courts. Better call Saul


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[bannie22]

What if you only had one or two drinks?

 

[idiotman1234]

Hi guys, not much is happening as of yet, but I will keep updating this thread as fit to help anyone that is going through a similar situation. To everyone that feels like I deserve what is coming, I feel the same way and I can only hope for mercy. Thank you to all who have given me positive encouragement in both PM's and in this thread.

Cheers

 

[idiotman1234]

I'd actually disagree with this. Once you're through training, you're a very valuable commodity. Most states and employers will bend over backwards to keep you able to practice after a first DUI, though they'll make you bend over forwards to comply with monitoring requirements. I haven't heard of someone actually losing their license for alcohol related misadventures until the 3rd or 4th offense. (Obviously, I'm sure the rules are different if someone actually died.) Even drug offenses are usually survivable, though you might have big trouble if you're in anesthesia or EM.

OTOH, a school could have a zero tolerance policy and just give you the boot. Other than your tuition dollars, you're not providing them anything. I'd err on the side of giving the student a second chance and I hope that the school would too, but I'm sure not all of them do.

This is what I am afraid of. People often tell me that the school has invested too much into me to let me go, but I am often a bit confused as to what they are exactly investing. In my opinion, I am just one of many students under their tutelage and while my tuition dollars may mean something financially I don't think schools in general are hurt too much by letting one student go who may be a thorn in their side later on... I hope that it's not the case, but it's constantly a recurring fear in my mind.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

What if you only had one or two drinks?

If there was probable cause for the stop and they "smell alcohol" or you admit to having had alcohol then they will arrest for DUI.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Hi guys, not much is happening as of yet, but I will keep updating this thread as fit to help anyone that is going through a similar situation. To everyone that feels like I deserve what is coming, I feel the same way and I can only hope for mercy. Thank you to all who have given me positive encouragement in both PM's and in this thread.

Cheers

Good luck, keep us updated. I understand it's a slow process.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

yeah sleeping in your car can still **** you, for sure.

I know I said I slept in my car. In my state the law is if you have the keys in the ignition. I still could've gotten public drunkenness or whatever the heck other trouble applies. Still, better than driving and hitting someone.

my advice tends to straddle the range between the overly paranoid risk averse to harm reduction to damage control oriented. My earlier advice was harm reduction.

another good strategy is planning ahead of time sleeping at a friend's if that's where you started the evening. even if you have to uber or cab or public transport back to your car later that's better.

I've paid a $50 ticket doing that, but still better than a DUI.

I feel bad because this is all hindsight for this person. Except for the fact, that ALL of this advice is 110% applicable to OP because they already have one. They need to use all these strategies for life if they want to keep on keeping on.

Key in ignition is dui so is sleeping drunk in a car in the back seat

 

[bannie22]

If there was probable cause for the stop and they "smell alcohol" or you admit to having had alcohol then they will arrest for DUI.

even if u dont exceed 0.08?

 

[Crayola227]

even if u dont exceed 0.08?

it'll depend on the state I think

 

[Crayola227]

Key in ignition is dui so is sleeping drunk in a car in the back seat

Better sleep in the trunk then so they don't see you. Some states I know you can have an open container in the trunk as it is not within the reach of the driver. So why not a drunkie in the trunk?

I can't argue with what you're saying, I still think sleeping it off in your car is a wiser move than driving it drunk.

There are worse things than DUI, like killing kids with your car.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Better sleep in the trunk then so they don't see you. Some states I know you can have an open container in the trunk as it is not within the reach of the driver. So why not a drunkie in the trunk?

I can't argue with what you're saying, I still think sleeping it off in your car is a wiser move than driving it drunk.

There are worse things than DUI, like killing kids with your car.

Someone historically tried that and was still caught for dui

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

even if u dont exceed 0.08?

They can deem you dui if bac over 0.0. If 0.0 then must have negative uds. If you're tired and had greater than 0.0 but under legal limit you're still ****ed. Of course they'll test you in the jail and even if under the limit you still have the charge and suspension of license

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Better sleep in the trunk then so they don't see you. Some states I know you can have an open container in the trunk as it is not within the reach of the driver. So why not a drunkie in the trunk?

I can't argue with what you're saying, I still think sleeping it off in your car is a wiser move than driving it drunk.

There are worse things than DUI, like killing kids with your car.

Even being around your car without key in ignition can be considered intent and be charged with dui