DUI Question

[Northwest 102]

I recently made a very poor judgment call and drove while over the legal limit and have not been charged yet but am looking at a DUI on my record.  This is my only one and I believe I

[DaveSims]

From what I've seen, just one will sometimes be overlooked, but in a competitive industry it could still follow you around.    Many times airlines check your driving record,a history of traffic and alcohol violations thorws a red flag. Even repeated speeding tickets can hurt you.  If it is a one time event, I would be ready to explain it during an interview, that it was a momentary lapse of judgement, and you learned your lesson and would never allow it to happen again. 

[SaultFresh]

I think that if it is only a one time offense, then you might be ok. I mean, nobody is perfect, and sometimes it takes mistakes to learn lessons. I know I used to have a wicked speeding problem, and although I was never caught, hitting a road sign at 120 clicks in a round about sure taught me my lesson. I will never street race ever, not on a street, not for money, not in my own car or a borrowed car, and not against friends. Never. Sometimes all it takes is one mistake to learn the most important lesson. Pilots make mistakes all the time, sometimes everyone pays that price, and sometimes no one pays that price. I think that you'll be ok if you've learned your lesson, and you have a good explanation when asked about it. Best of luck.

[DaveSims]

Yeah, like I said, they are looking for a pattern of destructive, anti-authoritive behavior.  One DUI is not a career ender, but several would be.  When I was in Pro Av in college, we had one guy who in just two years had four DUIs.  The Aviation department head finally pulled him aside and told him there was no future in aviation for him anymore and he should change majors.

[Northwest 102]

Thanks for all the info. Was a wake up call, and I should have been more careful.  Waiting for this whole process to take it's course has been difficult too.  Just happy to know that I haven't ruined my chances to get into he cockpit of a King Air.

MIKE

[beaky]

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT TRY TO HIDE THIS FROM THE FAA. DO NOT LIE, OR OMIT, OR COVER-UP IN ANY WAY.

Assuming this is your first and last DUI, even if there's a conviction, you may have a chance.
But if you go through all the trouble and expense of getting the ratings you want, while hoping the FAA doesn't find out about your DUI, and they do at some later date, you will most likely have all your certs yanked, probably
permanently.

The FAA is very sensitive about being lied to... don't upset them. Don't even think about it. Many pilots have lost everything this way... DUIs, criminal convictions, medical conditions, etc, etc. If anyone else besides you knows about it, the FAA may find out. And when they do, they will tear up your certs... mostly because you tried to make them look stupid.



As for the wisest way to reveal it to them... my advice is to consult an aviation attorney, even in an online forum. Or call AOPA; they offer legal advice for pilots.

I'd also recommend you check out this thread on the PoA forums (assuming you're not the same person, LOL):

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/sh ... hp?t=34318


The bottom line is that even if it is thrown out in court, it may still be on record. Sometimes the FAA (or aviation employer, or insurance company) asks "is there a record?" sometimes they ask "were you ever?". Find out what you need to know about the status of this DUI, even when it's "all over".... and DON'T TRY TO HIDE IT FROM THE FAA.

And one more piece of advice: don't drink and drive.

[expat]

A sideline question here, but what is the difference between drunk driving and DUI, or is it the same. Here in Europe, we have one offence, drunk driving and in 99.99% of cases an automatic ban and in 101% of cases a record.

Matt

[Capt.Propwash]

over here in the states, if you are UNDER the legal limit, you may still be "drunk" but they can not charge you with DUI. ... DUI is basically only if you are OVER the legal limit.



In my State.. South Carolina, USA:: http://dui.drivinglaws.org/scarolina.php

First DUI Conviction

With a Blood Alcohol Content Under .10
License Suspension - 6 Months
Fine - $400
Jail

[Northwest 102]

Thank you rottydaddy for that.  I knew first off to not lie to the FAA when it comes time to get my license. I have a few hurdles I need to jump over before I can even consult the FAA about obtaining my private pilots licence such as Court ( ), find a job supervising again in this economy, and then saving up to prepay for all the instruction I need which won't be easy but attainable none the less.

I will look into the AOPA and/or aviation attorney and see what I can learn from them. I know here in Minnesota after 10 years you can have your DUI expunged from your record and I may look into that when I'm 36...Yikes!

And yes, Drinking + Driving =  Stupid!!  And will never happen again!

[beaky]

[quote]Thank you rottydaddy for that.

[Steve M]

Get a good lawyer. Bargain. Sometimes you can plead guilty or no contest, and end up with no record.

[olderndirt]

Get a good lawyer

Good advice.

[expat]

Get a good lawyer. Bargain. Sometimes you can plead guilty or no contest, and end up with no record.

I love US justice. A positive breath test in Europe is as good as convicted, the court is a formality that confirms your ban and fine

Matt

[DaveSims]

Get a good lawyer. Bargain. Sometimes you can plead guilty or no contest, and end up with no record.

I love US justice. A positive breath test in Europe is as good as convicted, the court is a formality that confirms your ban and fine

Matt

There are so many technicalities that you can get off on its ridiculous.  For example, the officer in most states has to have an intital cause to stop you, in other words you have to break a traffic law.  We once had a guy get off scott free because the officer listed the initial cause to stop him as illegal lighting, because he was driving with his fog lights on.  Well if you scrutinize the law, fog lights are legal, so the initial cause was tossed out, and the DUI, even though he blew a .18!  Even though he was guilty of driving drunk, he got off because the officer didn't have probable cause to stop him.

[machineman9]

Get a good lawyer. Bargain. Sometimes you can plead guilty or no contest, and end up with no record.

I love US justice. A positive breath test in Europe is as good as convicted, the court is a formality that confirms your ban and fine

Matt

There are so many technicalities that you can get off on its ridiculous.