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Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:48 pm
by ForzaRoma
A few days ago I was charged with a DWI. This is the first time this has happened to me. I have been freaking out for the past few days and I am now finally starting to calm down. I have been accepted and have committed to a high T2 school and am in the process of writing a letter to the school to disclose the incident. I have read other forum topics that are similar to my situation, but none involving a DWI/DUI after acceptance. My questions/concerns are:
1. What are the chances that the school will pull my offer?
2. Since this has occurred so recently I cannot approach my addendum the conventional way (ie: it has been several yrs since the incident, and I have learned from my mistake...) How do I address this situation in my letter? This is totally out of character for me, and I could go that angle, but I don't know how much weight that will hold.
3. Finally, what sort of issues could I run into when when it's time to take the bar?
I may have more questions later. Any advice or answers to some/all of these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:54 pm
by Unitas
First find out what kind of punishment you are looking at. Some areas take away your drivers license and you won't get it back for a time period plus counseling. Hopefully you could plead this down to something else, but it depends on your area. You probably should hire a lawyer.
You might want to call the school and talk to them openly, then send in an official letter. Do you have a contact at the school? If so, use them.
1. No one knows for sure except the school.
2. Go with lapse of judgment that won't be repeated.
3. None - most likely, as long as you disclose and don't do it again. Check with the bar in the state you intend to take it.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:55 pm
by Grizz
Unitas wrote:You probably should hire a lawyer.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:56 pm
by Thirteen
Send a letter to the school ASAP to let them know what happened, and call to explain everything to a member of the Admissions Committee. If the school's close, I would recommend personally visiting to explain what happened. Good luck resolving everything.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:59 pm
by Unitas
rad law wrote:Unitas wrote:You probablyshould hire a lawyer.
FTFY.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:04 pm
by kalvano
Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:05 pm
by MTal
I have been accepted and have committed to a high T2
"high T2"
::snicker::
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:07 pm
by MTal
kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
When I am wasted I drive home about 90 % of the time, have been doing it for many years. Haven't had so much as a speeding ticket for all that time.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:07 pm
by 20121109
MTal wrote:I have been accepted and have committed to a high T2
"high T2"
::snicker::
The irony is strong with this one.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:08 pm
by Mr. Matlock
MTal wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
When I am wasted I drive home about 90 % of the time, have been doing it for many years. Haven't had so much as a speeding ticket for all that time.
QFP
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:11 pm
by ForzaRoma
Thanks (almost) everyone for the quick and helpful responses. I have already spoken to and hired a lawyer, so I am in the process of getting everything taken care of legally. My main issues are law school related. I think I'll call the school in the morning. In the meantime, should I address the letter to the Adcoms? (I don't have a specific contact at the school).
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:14 pm
by Hey-O
MTal wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
When I am wasted I drive home about 90 % of the time, have been doing it for many years. Haven't had so much as a speeding ticket for all that time.
I hope when you get in accident that you only kill yourself and not someone else as well.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:19 pm
by Thirteen
kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
People make mistakes. Calling him an asshole doesn't really solve anything or help answer his question.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:19 pm
by Thirteen
Hey-O wrote:
I hope when you get in accident that you only kill yourself and not someone else as well.
Stay classy.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:21 pm
by 094320
..
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:24 pm
by 20121109
Thirteen wrote:Hey-O wrote:
I hope when you get in accident that you only kill yourself and not someone else as well.
Stay classy.
tbf, many DUIs end in the drunk driver killing someone completely innocent, leaving the culprit barely scathed. In DUI accidents, people are likely to die. Of course, we would all prefer that no one dies, but if someone does die, it should be the guy who decided to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:24 pm
by Thirteen
acrossthelake wrote:Thirteen wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
People make mistakes. Calling him an asshole doesn't really solve anything or help answer his question.
Driving drunk and endangering the lives of others is quite the mistake.
I'm sure the OP feels awful about his decision, but calling him an asshole isn't necessary. Who are you to judge him/her?
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:25 pm
by pugalicious
kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
DWI =/(necessarily)= driving drunk. In my state you can get a DWI if you the cop thinks you were "impaired" and you blow anything above a 0 (so you could get a DWI if you had a beer at 5 pm, then drove to Taco Bell at midnight). Although, we have "misdemeanor dui" and "felony dui" (above situation being the former).
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:27 pm
by Unitas
acrossthelake wrote:Thirteen wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
People make mistakes. Calling him an asshole doesn't really solve anything or help answer his question.
Driving drunk and endangering the lives of others is quite the mistake.
Everyday tens of thousands of people do it. You have most likely done it at least once (statistically). It is stupid, but OP hopefully won't do it again.
OP: Call and talk to the adcomms in the morning. They will tell you what to do, but the letter will most likely be to the dean of admissions. The part of the C&F regarding disclosures in this regard will be if the school had known would they have reacted differently, hence why it is so important to be forthcoming with information. Again check with the bar of where you want to practice too (your lawyer may know the answer), but I know of convicted felons with violent crimes that have passed the bar.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:32 pm
by 094320
..
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:35 pm
by MTal
Just because you are over the legal limit doesn't necessarily mean you are endangering others. Some people can take several shots in a row and have their driving completely unaffected, it all depends on the individual. People should decide for themselves whether or not they are competent enough to drive. If they decide that they are and get in an accident anyway, then they should face the consequences, but there is no need to punish those who are perfectly capable of driving unimpeded just because they exceeded an arbitrary limit set by the government.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:37 pm
by lawgod
MTal wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
When I am wasted I drive home about 90 % of the time, have been doing it for many years. Haven't had so much as a speeding ticket for all that time.
some sick part of me hopes you wrap yourself around a tree
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:49 pm
by Kohinoor
pugalicious wrote:kalvano wrote:Also, stop being an asshole and driving drunk.
Seriously, how is it in this day and age people still think that's OK?
DWI =/(necessarily)= driving drunk. In my state you can get a DWI if you the cop thinks you were "impaired" and you blow anything above a 0 (so you could get a DWI if you had a beer at 5 pm, then drove to Taco Bell at midnight). Although, we have "misdemeanor dui" and "felony dui" (above situation being the former).
If you had a beer at 5 and blow above a 0 at midnight, see a doctor.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:49 pm
by seespotrun
GAIAtheCHEERLEADER wrote:MTal wrote:I have been accepted and have committed to a high T2
"high T2"
::snicker::
The irony is strong with this one.
Indeed it is. MTal got pwned at a T2 and dropped out after 1L.
Re: Already accepted, just got a DWI
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:00 pm
by Merr
MTal wrote:Just because you are over the legal limit doesn't necessarily mean you are endangering others. Some people can take several shots in a row and have their driving completely unaffected, it all depends on the individual. People should decide for themselves whether or not they are competent enough to drive. If they decide that they are and get in an accident anyway, then they should face the consequences, but there is no need to punish those who are perfectly capable of driving unimpeded just because they exceeded an arbitrary limit set by the government.
There are so many things wrong with this statement I don't know where to begin. All I can say is they call it "being impaired" for a several reasons including the fact that it messes with your ability to think rationally.