What can I do if I cannot afford to pay for the program after a DUI?

I'm currently under house arrest for a DUI. I've booked and have done 23 days, not including the booking, on a 45 day sentence. I could not afford to do the jail time due to bills and rent. The problem is that the program runs at $22 a day which puts me over $1000. When I enrolled, I was told about payment plans. Now they are threatening me to pay it off before August 31st or I could be flagged and kicked out of the program. Now to me it seems like they just want the money, which I was willing to pay. Now I just want out! They tell me one thing and then another, but what it comes down to is the money. Is there anything I could do to get out of this?

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Answered By: Law Office of Thomas F. Mueller

You need to do the program in order to get your license back. It's the law. There is no way for you to get it back without the program.There is another serious problem. If you deon't complete it now you go into the category of people who don't have a referral by a judge and you will not be able to get a restricted license until you complete the 18 months.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/1/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Eric Sterkenburg

Go back into court and have your case put on the calendar for that day. When it is called explain to the Judge your problem. The Judge has heard this before and will have options for you.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/1/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Peter F. Goldscheider

Ask the court clerk to calendar your case so you can appear before the sentencing judge to explain your situation. He or she can perhaps modify the conditions of your probation in some way to accomodate you.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/1/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Martina Vigil

Get to the court at 8:30 am and put your case on calendar at the clerk's office. Ask the Judge for an extension or some other plan to finish your sentence. As long as you jeep the court informed, the may be flexible.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 8/31/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann

You are going to have to do the program because it is required as a term of probation and by DMV if you ever want your license back. Try going into the court and getting a fee waiver evaluation. You might be able to get the costs reduced or waived.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 8/31/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Jeff Yeh

No, you're stuck. If you quit the program you'll be in violation of probation. If you start over at another program, you might not make the original court deadline, and you'll end up spending even more money.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 8/31/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.