OK, so first off, I am going into my second semester of my adn program and I am 19 years old. I was at a party last night with my friend and there were about 70-80 people there.
A girl made me a drink and I decided to drink it. It was kind of strong but I drank it anyway.
There was a lot of marijuana so we decided to leave but our truck was boxed in by other vehicles. I told my friend to drive my truck and he agreed, but out of habit I got in the drivers seat. So we are waiting for some of the cars to leave so we can get out and then the cops show up.
One cop came up and said they were going to breathalyze everyone driving and just to sit tight. Then another cop came and asked me what I had to drink and I told him a cup of grape juice with a small amount of vodka a few hours ago.
He then told me he was going to breathalyze me and asked what my name was, how old I was, and who my parents were. I didn't see him write anything down, but it was dark so I don't really know what he did.
I blew a 0.02 and he told me I could go. He didn't breathalyze my friend. I AM INCREDIBLY PARANOID THAT I AM GOING TO GET AN UNDERAGE DRINKING TICKET IN THE MAIL.
I live in Mississippi and this is my first run in with law enforcement beside getting a ticket for running a stop sign. I personally think the officers were more concerned with what was going on inside than with me. I mentioned something about the marijuana to one cop and he just walked inside.
My question to anyone who has any knowledge about legal issues is, can I get a ticket in the mail?
Keep in mind that I was in my truck with tag number visible ... and if I do how will this affect my status in school and taking my boards? I live in Mississippi. Any input is appreciated, but I really don't need a lecture about this incident. I am a good kid, I never go anywhere or do anything besides study.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
I doubt you will get a ticket. I was at a party at the same age as you and was drinking (but was walking home). The police wanted the owners of the apartment, not the underage drinkers at that point, so you will most likely be fine.
You need to be more responsible when you drink. If you can't walk home then you need a DD arranged before you even take a drink. Be aware that even if your sitting in your drivers seat w/ the keys in the ignition, you can be charged with a DUI. I do think you need to be less defensive, when you put this out where thousands of nurse comment, you will hear things you will not like.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
You need to be more responsible when you drink. If you can't walk home then you need a DD arranged before you even take a drink.
No, OP needs to wait until she is of legal age before indulging in an alcoholic beverage. When old enough to legally drink, then she should follow that advice.
OP,
I am a good kid, I never go anywhere or do anything besides study.
does not speak the truth. You were at a party, you were drinking underage. Yes, doing that and getting caught can affect your life for years to come. Count your blessings if you do get away with it this time, and don't do it again.
Since you got on a nursing website, I'm sure that more than a few of the nurses on here have seen what happens when teenagers drink and drive. I'm also sure that more than a few people have been affected by drinking and driving.
OP, it was a dumb thing to do. Whether or not you do it often is irrelevant, and whether or not you say you didn't intend to drive is irrelevant. You were caught behind the wheel. Even if the car is not running you could be charged with a DUI which would affect you getting a nursing license.
Learn a lesson from this and stop worrying about a citation in the mail. Learn a lesson. I can't emphasize that enough.
Just be aware also that in some states if you are underage and if you register ANYTHING on a breathalyzer (as you did), you will get a DUI. I know Texas is one of those states. I had a subordinate that I went to bat for at court because he blew point 0.013. You got lucky!! You do not want to start off your nursing career waiting to take the NCLEX because you got a DUI or a underage drinking charge. If you are going to drink; then do it somewhere safe and stay in one place…..
It was pretty easy to find this info on google, I just searched "Mississippi DUI laws" and saw this the first link I clicked "People not of drinking age may be charged with a BAC of .02 percent or greater."
Basically if you are charged with a DUI you may not be eligible to take the Nclex or may not be able to be hired for a year...just from a quick search though.
We have so much to think about now, as potentially future nurses. Our conduct in real life and social media, illegal or just not ethical, can destroy whatever chance we may have...if you get lucky this time, remember it always so you never get that close again...
This must be a record case of a poster enacting the AN witness protection program - did I see a new username in under 2 hours? Nicely played, OP. Well, except that your quoted remarks keep your original user name. But, 'A' for effort. Good luck on the lamb.
Here is the answer to your question from the Mississippi drinking laws page
"BAC Limits
A driver is considered to be illegally under the influence of alcohol if his or her blood-alcohol content (BAC) level is more than .08 percent. In those circumstances, the driver is considered ‘per se intoxicated' and can be arrested for DUI (driving under the influence). Mississippi does not have enhanced penalties for excessively high BAC levels, as do some states.
Any driver under the age of 21 can only test for a BAC level of .02 percent; otherwise, DUI penalties will be charged under ‘zero tolerance laws.' "
Looks to me like you got lucky here. Now move forward and don't go drinking and such until you are legal age and stay away from parties where there is drinking as well as pot.
"Parent" advice to NOT drink and drive? I'm in my early 30's, so not sure about your older comment either. Why don't you just light the joint and give it to them also.
I would like to think that if any of my kids ever decided to post on a public forum, that there would be mature and responsible people to give them "parent" advice.
By the way, please rephrase your comment about being 19 and we "all have" drank before. I'm not perfect, but I have never drank a drop of alcohol in my life. I hope my kids follow my example.
You're 19. You can have a drink if you want, we all have. Just be careful. DUI's are a world of headache.
Sure, tell the next cop who catches an underage drinker that.
I'm not a parent. I'm still relatively young, but I am legally able to drink. I choose not to sometimes, if I don't think I can control myself.
OP, you can have a drink if you want. You can also smoke marijuana, be promiscuous, and steal. Just know that you should be ready to face the consequences of your choices.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
You're 19. You can have a drink if you want, we all have. Just be careful. DUI's are a world of headache.
A world of headache meaning legal problems and possible denial of being issued a nursing license. Laws are laws; fight to change them if you wish, but follow them.
And I wouldn't post about it forums like these. Many of the members are much older and will give you "parent" advice lol.
I'm certainly not old enough to have children beyond junior high. It's not "parent" advice; it's protect your future advice.
If you are one of those currently engaging in illegal activities such as underage drinking, consider all of the consequences of those actions. It's not all fun and games, as much as some wish it were.
LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN
541 Posts
I doubt you will get a ticket. I was at a party at the same age as you and was drinking (but was walking home). The police wanted the owners of the apartment, not the underage drinkers at that point, so you will most likely be fine.
You need to be more responsible when you drink. If you can't walk home then you need a DD arranged before you even take a drink. Be aware that even if your sitting in your drivers seat w/ the keys in the ignition, you can be charged with a DUI. I do think you need to be less defensive, when you put this out where thousands of nurse comment, you will hear things you will not like.