You need to talk to your lawyer about your choices. First, you could be sentenced to jail time for refusing probation. Second, you still have to do the program to get your license back. You pled and judge imposed the time. That does not sound like he limited the amount of time that was being suspended. Third, you could face more than a year if there were other counts that you pled to, e.g., driving with a suspended license, child endangerment, etc. And there are other problems with this plan so you need your lawyer to go through all of this with you..
By the way, we have heard many people make this kind of bravado remark often in drug cases because they do not want to test. There are not many scenarios where it is a real bargain. But there are some where it makes sense, at least in the short term, to the client.
Now, you should also discuss with your lawyer candidly why you do not want to be on probation. You have a first DUI with a high blood alcohol level (by your own assessment). this suggests that you have a problem that you need to deal with. I say this not as a social worker but as a cold hearted criminal defense lawyer. If you are not dealing with an underlying problem that puts you at risk for arrest, you are liable to be arrested again. Next time it could be a felony or, worse yet, a DUI with injury or vehicular manslaughter.
If you want to be off probation so you can drink (or so you can drink and drive) you are not doing yourself a favor. You are just doing prison on the installment plan.
Having said that, maybe you have a good reason to be off probation and you should discuss that with your lawyer. But a first deuce with such a high BA may also be a wake up call.
Good luck with your choices in this.
Answered on Mar 19th, 2017 at 5:52 AM