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melon · #1 10-27-2009, 06:53 AM

Hello, I soon will b going in for my 6th DUI and was wondering where there are good AODA programs for women in prison in wisconsin, and if there is still a long waiting list for them. Am going to plea for my 6th dui although I have only been convicted of my third- 9 years ago- (REFUSALS) and have not had a dui since. I am scared to death because the longest I have ever been in jail is 6 mos. The DA in Sauk CO wants to give me 2 yrs in and 3 yrs out, I was wondering if the " New Law" would affect me and if I might get work release to pay my mortgage while I am in. I am a single mother of 2. The DA wants me to plea so she can order me a PSI. I have never been in this much trouble before. Can someone help!!!!

SCARED IN SAUK

FINALLY OUT · #2 10-29-2009, 07:42 AM

i, personally don't think you should plea to anything, but what does your lawyer say about this. the da is never, and i repeat never, trying to help you. tw2o years in is a long time and the programs in there suck. being from sauk county they won't want to send you to reecc or metro, cause those are both close to milwaukee. so your options for minimum are slim, unless they let you do boot camp or the erp,(which is a 6 month intense aoda program). the earned release program would be the thing to try for as you get released upon completion of the program(so you'd only be in 6-8 months) good luck to you.

mamajmg · #3 10-29-2009, 08:27 PM

melon - I can't give you any thoughts or suggestions as I have no knowledge of the dwi laws in your state.

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in the situation. I pray for a fair outcome!

Good luck!

shady1 · #4 10-30-2009, 12:15 PM

i'm confused.......how is it you were convicted of your 3rd dui nine years ago, haven't had one since, but this is your 6th dui?
i don't know who your lawyer is, and i'm not here to advertise, but there are a few good dui lawyers in madison......

melon · #5 10-30-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLY OUT

i, personally don't think you should plea to anything, but what does your lawyer say about this. the da is never, and i repeat never, trying to help you. tw2o years in is a long time and the programs in there suck. being from sauk county they won't want to send you to reecc or metro, cause those are both close to milwaukee. so your options for minimum are slim, unless they let you do boot camp or the erp,(which is a 6 month intense aoda program). the earned release program would be the thing to try for as you get released upon completion of the program(so you'd only be in 6-8 months) good luck to you.

Thank you Finally Out and others who replied:

I was wondering with the new Oct 1st laws if I would have to do the full two years? I had another friend that was sentence to 3 years in and 5 years out and she was out in 1 year after graduating programs. My uncle was sentenced to 3years in and 2 years out and he only did 16 mos after graduating programs. Is it that common that the camp/erp programs knock alot of time off a sentence? I have so many questions: Is the womans' intake at TC now? Or do we go to Dodge with the guys to get assessed? Is there a long wait for the women to get into the camp or the erp?

So Relived that I can ask someone who knows about these things, thanx in advance for your replies.

melon

melon · #6 10-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shady1

i'm confused.......how is it you were convicted of your 3rd dui nine years ago, haven't had one since, but this is your 6th dui?
i don't know who your lawyer is, and i'm not here to advertise, but there are a few good dui lawyers in madison......

I was convicted of my 3rd dui nine years ago and havent had one since. Yes! I find it very unbelievable too!!! I was informed that if you refuse to do the tests when you are arrested its called a "Refusal" I was told that even if you beat the DUI case and win--- They will still count it as a dui because of the refusal & BAC. AT least that is what my lawyer said. Anyone ever hear of this????

jlblasius · #7 10-30-2009, 11:25 PM

I have a male friend who was convicted of his 5th OWI last August. I don't 100% know the story, but he doesn't have 4 previous convictions either. Now, I assume his situation is similar to yours with the refusals and such. His 4th incident was over 10 years ago - and his 5th was Dec 2007. So, August 08 he got 2 years in, 3 years out for a 5th offense. He was not allowed ERP at the time, but he was ordered to complete AODA after which he would have been eligible (likely) for a work camp. He didn't complete the program, but that's another story for another time

When sentenced under the old laws, completion of assigned programs was not a requirement for earing "good time", early release, work camp eligibility, etc. He still may get a work camp assignment. So, let's assume you will successfully complete your program

Yes, there is a waiting period once inside - my friend didn't start his program for 8 months, and it was 4 months long. Yours could be up to 6 months long from what I've read. So, at the time of sentencing your judge will determine whether you are eligible for RRS (Risk Reduction Sentence). He will likely place a condition that you complete an intensive treatment program. The RRS will allow you to be released when you complete 75% of your confinement (or, 18 months if sentenced to 2 yrs in like my friend). However, the judge will make you agree to that condition, so if you get kicked out of your program for any reason, you'll have to serve the entire 2 years without earning "good time". That's my understanding anyway.

jlblasius · #8 10-30-2009, 11:27 PM

About ERPs - my friend wasn't eligible but it seems like he knew guys who got to leave after completeing it, much earlier than sentenced.

FINALLY OUT · #9 11-01-2009, 11:43 AM

Intake for women is at tci, and if eligible, you will wait to get into the erp. Then once you are in the program, it will take 6 months.....upon completion, they release you within about a week. So you could be out in as little as 8 months. Keep your head up...it's not as bad as it could be....

melon · #10 11-01-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLY OUT

Intake for women is at tci, and if eligible, you will wait to get into the erp. Then once you are in the program, it will take 6 months.....upon completion, they release you within about a week. So you could be out in as little as 8 months. Keep your head up...it's not as bad as it could be....

Thank you so much for giving me a little insight on what is going to happen to me FINALLY OUT! I was wondering if when you were in there was a long wait for the programs? I would imagine since there are are less women than men in prison, if the wait for women for the programs is less?

Also, is there work release? would I still be able to maintain my mortgage while in prison?

FINALLY OUT · #11 11-01-2009, 08:35 PM

if you are waiting to go into a program or in the program, you will not be able to work, i would make other arrangements for your mortgage. the wait for the programs is/was longer for the women because it is only offered at one facility(reecc in union grove), you should expect to wait probably 2-3 months to get in the program, but 6-8 weeks of that time will be your a&e process, so it won't feel like such a long time. I would say on a two year sentence, you will probably wind up doing about 14 months with a program or 14-16 months with just good time. any more questions just ask, i try to make prison less intimidating for people that are facing time. i was really scared before i went and it turned out to not be as bad as i thought it would.