Allowed to drive home (20 miles) within one hour of failing a sobriety test.

[tcop733]

You don't have to be falling down drunk or buzzing into oblivion to be charged with driving under the influence.
As far as your rant on the system; maybe some day marijuana will be legalized, I really don't know?
Yes, alcohol is a poison and it's bad, no argument from me on that one. Consumed in moderation it's legal for adults 21 years of age.
At this time any usable amount of marijuana in your possession will get you a trip to the county lockup. Until and if the laws are changed in regards to marijuana........you take a chance.
Until the law makers legalize marijuana it will remain illegal.
Most of the time if you use marijuana at home you won't be bothered. But, the moment you get behind the wheel under the influence of any drug, legal or illegal, you run the chance of running into Johnny Law.
And, many alcoholics feel ten feet tall and bullet proof when intoxicated, so your statement about performing well, even when you're under the influence of Devil Weed, doesn't surprise me.

[Cat_Doc]

Yep, while I don't condone the commission of a felony, I know that the vast majority of marijuana users would not come up on the radar if they stayed at home while doing it. As long as they kept the smell from wafting outside, kept the music from blaring into the neighborhood and did not set the house on fire after putting something on the stove then forgetting about it while they veg out in front of the boob tube, we probably would not cross paths.

However, tons of the idiots decide to carry it out with them into public places, smoke it while driving or in public parks, etc., just begging to get stopped and booked...idiots.

They do idiotic things; then want to whine about the “unfairness” of it all. No compassion here for lower intelligence.

[jdjasond]

Thanks for the info.. I'm sorry if I seem bitter. I understand the need for heavy punishment but you have to admit that the fact that this officer let me drive home suggests that there was a lot of doubt in his mind that I was impaired. Can one of you at least have the balls to admit that much?
That is just common sense. Everyone on here is acting like that is inconsequential information. I refuse to accept that. I was in school at the time this happened and unemployed. I got my degree in December but what do you think my chances of finding a job are with this on my record and this economy? Three months of sending out resumes and I'm getting nowhere. And I'm just supposed to take it in the *** and say thank you. There is a loophole in this. I have not found it yet but I will keep digging. I sure as hell have nothing better to do.

Anyhow, so do I have the right to know this information about scoring the clues? I mean specifically how it was scored in my case? Are there any resources that explain how this scoring the clues process works in detail? I should just give the whole thing a rest but when you don't have a job all you tend to do is obsess about this kind of thing.

[jdjasond]

Your right there Cat Doc. It was an idiotic move on my part. It was not something I would ordinarily do but unfortunately my passenger had other ideas.

[BJJVad]

Thanks for the info.. I'm sorry if I seem bitter.

You ARE bitter. You are bitter because you feel wronged for something YOU don't think was wrong.

I understand the need for heavy punishment but you have to admit that the fact that this officer let me drive home suggests that there was a lot of doubt in his mind that I was impaired. Can one of you at least have the balls to admit that much? That is just common sense. Everyone on here is acting like that is inconsequential information. I refuse to accept that.

Why is it on us to agree with you when NONE of us where there? I work California where Marijuana usage by many is considered more casual now days. However, it is still against the law to drive while under the influence of it and you can still be cited for it, and have it seized for transporting it anywhere other than from the clinic to home.

People like you are dangerous... You hear Marijuana is more casual and assume that allows you to do whatever you want with the drug.

I was in school at the time this happened and unemployed. I got my degree in December but what do you think my chances of finding a job are with this on my record and this economy? Three months of sending out resumes and I'm getting nowhere. And I'm just supposed to take it in the *** and say thank you.

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You broke the law. This isn't a "The officer thought..." conversation. You admitted to him that you had used. He could have done anything in his lawful power that he wished. He decided to do you a "favor", be thankful.

There is a loophole in this. I have not found it yet but I will keep digging. I sure as hell have nothing better to do.

I would put a large wager that "You" will NOT do any digging at all. I would wager, you will ask around to a bunch of people that speculate and give you their opinions until you realize you no longer care.

There is no "loophole" when you are guilty of something. You may not get convicted, but there is certainly no "loophole".

Anyhow, so do I have the right to know this information about scoring the clues? I mean specifically how it was scored in my case? Are there any resources that explain how this scoring the clues process works in detail? I should just give the whole thing a rest but when you don't have a job all you tend to do is obsess about this kind of thing.

SFST information is readily available online and takes matter of minutes to research. It will not change our being able to detect it the next time, or the officer's in this particular incident.

You can take this personal because I believe it to the very core of me. Pot heads will never be as effective in society as a person that operates their normal day without. It IS! a drug, it DOES! alter your mind while you are on it and it IS! a crutch rather than a tool.

Stating you needed it for suicidal thoughts is bull****.. You do it because you like getting high.. Plain and simple.. Same as all the other people out there trying to kid themselves that marijuana is the next wonder drug to cure all. You are all addicts that want your fix..

[greg72982]

Did they ask you to remove your tinfoil hate before performing SFST's?

[Citicop]

If you want to fight a DWI charge, you need a lawyer who specializes in it. He will have all the info you need about the tests and scoring. (Several of the top DWI lawyers in my area are also SFST Instructor qualified).

All the info you want is in the officer's report of the incident. You (or your lawyer) can ask for a copy at any time.

There is no relationship between the disposition of your criminal charges and being allowed to drive home. The officer may have to admit that he made a mistake by allowing that, but it will NOT be a "loophole" or result in any kind of reduction or dismissal. The officer may face some discipline at work for poor judgment, but it will have NO EFFECT AT ALL on your charges.

-Citicop.

[jdjasond]

Ok there BJJVad, I love you too. I did not say that I think marijuana is a long-term solution. It did help me get through what seemed like a dead-end in my life with no way out. Do you know how many people commit suicide in this country? There are 40% more suicides than there are homicides. Obviously there is room for improvement in finding ways to get people to reconsider making that one final decision. I love it how you guys tell me you know better than me what my experience was. You have some serious delusions of grandeur.
It is a crutch if you misuse it. It's a tool if it keeps you from killing yourself. If it is viewed as a short-term and managed solution it is better than the alternative of being six feet under. Although it sounds like you are grateful for anything that hastens the death of a user.
And I was not in the habit of driving under the influence. It was not part of a routine. In fact, it may have happened twice. How many times have you been behind the wheel with a few too many beers in you? Don't act all righteous and condescending with me. You don't know me.

[jdjasond]

Ya greg, that's why he let me drive home because I was just emanating so much hatred.

[marinepilot]

How many times have you been behind the wheel with a few too many beers in you? Don't act all righteous and condescending with me. You don't know me.

jdjasond, you're absolutely right, we DON'T know you. And I would remind you that you don't know us either, so I find this comment to be completely out of line. Please realize that you are on a board that is filled with LAW ENFORCEMENT officers, and most, if not all, of us have worked very hard throughout our lives to attain this position. It requires integrity, honesty, and honor, and while we are definitely not perfect, I would bet you the farm that not a single LEO on here has driven drunk as you suggest.

I'm closing this thread now as it seems you haven't been able to find anyone who has answered your question to your liking, and I sincerely doubt you will.

[Cat_Doc]

Your right there Cat Doc. It was an idiotic move on my part. It was not something I would ordinarily do but unfortunately my passenger had other ideas.

See, succumbing to peer pressure is a weakness of character.

Maybe all this will make you a stronger person and turn out to be a blessing in disguise?