Going before the Judge

I met with my public defender and went over everything that had happened and what I was being charged with.  She told me that I would not need to appear for my arraignment and that she would plead me not guilty to the charges.  This as a result of the officer offering to charge me with a .159 versus the .16.  She couldn't guarantee me anything because it is up to the District Attorney to decide what I was going to be officially charged with.
I was now in the waiting game for my trial.  As time went by, I had my  Court Reporting Network (CRN) evaluation done and it was decided that I did not need drug and alcohol counseling.  I scheduled my alcohol safety classes which are a requirement and meet with an officer at the men's county jail to see if I could be considered for house arrest.

It all seemed easy enough.  I was recommended for house arrest but was told that it would be up to the judge to decide if I could do that or go to jail.  Jail, oh my GOD, I have never been in jail.  In fact the only problems I ever had with the law was these DUIs.  I prayed that 30 days of house arrest would be given to me by the judge along with everything else that I was expecting.

It was finally here, my court date to go in front of the judge.  Of course my parents wanted to be there as well as my boyfriend.  Since I knew this was going to be an all day affair, I asked them not to waste their day.  I would feel guilty knowing that it would.  I'm a big girl and do this on my own.  My boyfriend dropped me off at the court house as planned and would pick me up later when everything was done.

When I arrived in the court room to meet with my attorney I was informed that the DA was charging me for the .16 and the Valium in my system.  What a surprise this was for me.  I was shocked!  This did not mean 30 days but 90 days of house arrest or jail time.  I was told to plead guilty.  I had no problem with that since I did break the law. I am a good person and always said "do the crime, pay the time". 

I went before the judge and got the usual lecture of the crime I committed.  I was sentenced to 90 days house arrest and was then handcuffed and taken to the holding cell in the court house.