Re: My son has to do jail time

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

How long will he be in jail?

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@hopeandfaith wrote:
Yes, I am new to posting, but not new to the forums. I read a variety of topics here.

Yes, he is a first time offender. However, in Pennsylvania, they are very very strick, and this is what he got.

I came here for support, to see if maybe someone here was going thru the same issues.

He is my son, that will not change, and I am a mom who is worried.

He should have had a lawyer as Pennsylvania is one of the most lenient states in the country for this offense.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

This is what I found, when I googled the law on DUIs in PA:

"The first time you are arrested and convicted for drunk driving in the State of Pennsylvania you will receive 6 months probation and a $300 fine if your BAC was between .08-.99. If your BAC was from .10-.159 you will receive from 2 days-6 months in prison, a $500-$5,000 fine and a 12 month drivers license suspension."

Given those facts and the sentence he received (11 months???), he must've been way over the legal limit. Many years ago, my young brother was killed by a drunk driver, so I don't have much tolerance for drinking and driving, in any amounts. You drink (or do drugs)...you don't drive. Period. No excuses.

Having said that, I'm sorry for the worry it's caused you. He will have to get through it one day at a time and, hopefully, will learn from the experience. It could've been so much worse.

(And, if this is somebody just "pulling our chain", my feelings remain the same.)

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

My heart goes out to you!! He had to have had several prior arrests to get sentenced for 11 months. I think this is where the tough love comes in.You have to be there for him but at the same time insist he must get help!! This must not happen again.I know it's hard but don't enable him.Remember to support him & tell him that you believe in his power to turn his life around.He should not define himself by his mistakes but rather his ability to overcome those mistakes!! He is still young enough to move forward!!

Good luck!!!

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@hopeandfaith wrote:
My son will be sentenced to 11 months in jail, I believe next week. He had a DUI. He is in his late 20's and basically a good kid, but has made mistakes.

I am heartbroken. He has never been in jail before, and I dont' know what to expect. I told him he has to deal with it. There is nothing anyone can do. It is a county jail in Pennsylvania.

Can anyone give me advise on how to cope? I can not eat or sleep, this is taking a huge toll on me.

Hoping that he will take full advantage of rehab services while he is in a controlled environment.

For yourself, seek out an al anon meeting and attend.

These suggestions go for anyone in a comparable situation.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@hopeandfaith wrote:
Yes, I am new to posting, but not new to the forums. I read a variety of topics here.

Yes, he is a first time offender. However, in Pennsylvania, they are very very strick, and this is what he got.

I came here for support, to see if maybe someone here was going thru the same issues.

He is my son, that will not change, and I am a mom who is worried.

Take a look at the link someone else has posted further on. There is no way he's a first-time offender, given the law in PA and the length of the sentence he got. Care to enlighten us further?

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@Venezia wrote:
@hopeandfaith wrote:
Yes, I am new to posting, but not new to the forums. I read a variety of topics here.

Yes, he is a first time offender. However, in Pennsylvania, they are very very strick, and this is what he got.

I came here for support, to see if maybe someone here was going thru the same issues.

He is my son, that will not change, and I am a mom who is worried.

Take a look at the link someone else has posted further on. There is no way he's a first-time offender, given the law in PA and the length of the sentence he got. Care to enlighten us further?

A list of states showing the most strick to the most lenient, show Pa. as high on top of the most lenient. Unless their were injuries to others, property damages,etc.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

Was he involved in an accident? I don't think he will have any problems in jail. My daughter was a corrections officer, at one time

Jails are safe

periwinklerocket · ‎06-30-2010

Just looked up laws for Pennsylvania there is no jail time for first offense. Someone is not telling the truth.

bootsanne · ‎01-21-2011

I'm from Pa. and know many, many people who have had DUIs. My husband's nephew has had at least 4 and never did jail time. His last one resulted in a 2 year loss of driving privileges. I know another man who lost his driving for life but I know of nobody who got jail time on his first offense. I also worked for over 30 years in the liquor industry and I saw on a daily basis the result of alcohol abuse. I know you are distressed over your son doing jail time, but driving under the influence IMO is the same as attemped manslaughter. Laws should be much stricter. Sorry if I've hurt your feelings, but if he got jail time on his first offense, I think that there is more to this story.