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</p>
<p>Just get through this problem, and worry about later LATER when you know what the outcome is. No one can really answer this now. Yes, there will be consequences but I suspect it will not be a major stumbling block.</p>
<p>Can JHS be any more clear? Run, don’t walk to the best local lawyer you can find. ASAP. And oh, listen to the lawyer’s instructions, and follow them to the letter.</p>
<p>Methings the OP has a lot to learn, especially the value of DO IT NOW…and the value of professional advice. </p>
<p>In certain areas, and the law is at the top of my list, lay opinions are cheap, irrelevant and dangerous. What one needs is knowledge and advice. </p>
<p>The lesson here should be that whenever dealing with the court system, whether for major traffic citations, public drunkeness, landlord disputes, whatever, GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. It is money well spent.</p>
<p>It does strike me as ironic that the OP was obviously reluctant to spend money on an attorney, yet has no problem paying for a year abroad. How curious.</p>
<p>As parents, I think we should all be asking ourselves whether we have properly advised our own offspring on what to do if they get into trouble with the law. I suspect the OP’s parents didn’t talk about this issue with him, and I have to admit that I haven’t done it with my kids, either.</p>
<p>I admit I have never thought about it either
but as the OP illustrates, even moderate behavior can result in a “run in”
with the law.
We don’t have a family attorney
But I did at least realize that a few years ago when my husband was in an accident- and he was charged with hit and run- attended ( the accident was in a place where it wasn’t safe to stop( he was on a narrow bridge)- he apparently told the other driver he would meet them at their place of business about 5 blocks away- ) that he should contact an attorney- because his idea was that he would just explain everything to the magistrate
I had to tell him, that was the attorneys job which he reluctantly agreed later was good advice.
People just think"everything" will work out, but it doesn’t, which is why we have lawyers I guess- and I feel that the cost of reducing the severity of information on your record is worth it.</p>
<p>I think using an attorney is also part of some sort of messaging to the court: You take the problem seriously enough to spend some real $; and you are responsible enough (or have parents that are…) to afford some $$, so you get a break.</p>
<p>Is this fair? I doubt it, but it IS how the system works, from the least significant civil issue to the most serious criminal offenses. A lot of research has shown that the poor, the less educated, the less sophisticated, get the shaft far more than the wealthy upper classes.</p>
<p>A) OP needs a lawyer, sounds as if he has consulted one - good job.</p>
<p>B) Concerning spending money for study abroad vs the lawyer - Mom and Dad probably know about the study abroad, they may not know about the alcohol misdemeanor!</p>
<p>To clear things up for you late posters:</p>
<ol>
<li>I have a lawyer.</li>
<li>My parents do know about it. They can’t be too upset about what happened because…</li>
<li>I’m paying for all of this myself; in addition, I’m paying for my (rather cheap) in-state tuition + all living expenses. (my dad is a laborer and my mom a cafeteria worker, they have two children in college; not exactly a lot of money to be thrown around in the family).</li>
</ol>
<p>
</p>
<p>I was reluctant to spend on money on a attorney because of many reasons. I’ve already invested a lot of my time and money into the study abroad program. A conflicting court date could ruin all effort I’ve put into my travel outside the US; thus, I didn’t want to waste any money on a lawyer unless absolutely necessary. I see now that lawyers have the power to reschedule court dates – the expense is now justified. I’m having trouble making ends meet in regards to my financial situation already; however, after calling enough lawyers in the county I was arrested in I found a guy who can help me for a reasonable cost. Since I’ve never been arrested before I wasn’t sure if I could represent myself and possibly get some pre-trial diversion without having a lawyer accompany me. </p>
<p>All my initial concerns have been cleared up; now I’m at the mercy of the judge and my lawyer. Wish me luck.</p>