My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri.
I was convicted of a misdemeanor DUI (alcohol ) and BAC about 6 years ago in Missouri. I got a sentance for the DUI of a suspended sentence with no jail time (first time being in trouble ) and served five days for the BAC. Both required probation. Both in different counties. I was in my early 40's, besides a speeding ticket, I had no criminal history.
A few months after my last conviction, I informed my probation officers that I was going to Texas to live with friends. I had no job and no where to live in MO. That fell apart on the bus to TX and I ended up in a homeless shelter when I got there.
I kept contact for a few months then missed calling in. When I did make contact with one of them she informed me that she was reporting me.
Present day I am confused as to why I was able to just move without having to have my probation transferred to the new state?
I freaked out and never contacted anyone again. HUGE mistake.
During the time of my convictions I began seeking help for mental illness ie mental health hospital stays. I had never been much of a drinker and when i did start drinking the year of my DUI (it was in response to feeling like I was going crazy, but having no experience with mental illness, i just kept on going, not understanding how serious the situation was) out of control obviously. I was hospitalized at least four different times before I was diagnosed with Bipolar. I was put on medication just before I left Missouri for bipolar but it took a couple of months before the medication to fully work. By that time I checked into the shelter, about a month after being diagnosed, I was still a mess. I stayed at the shelter a year and graduated from their in house program.
Went on to a assisted living program for people with dual diagnosis (mental illness and substance abuse ). I stayed in that program for a year and a half, during that time gained steady employment. Moved out on my own and never looked back. Still making a terrible mistake.
I relapsed about three weeks ago when my job was eliminated from that employer after fours years. When I say relapse, I am referring to mental illness, not drinking. I have been sober ever since my last arrest, going from arrest to mental hospital to rehab.
After once again being hospitalized and a med change I am now facing my past. A past that I have been scared to death to deal with. I, like everyone else who is here, am terrified l will be locked up for months or even years. I understand now i have to deal with it and will likely loose everything i have built in the last five years over a bipolar induced terror of confinment (an unnatural fear). I am having a panic attack just writing this.
I have a $25k bond for the DUI and a $500 bond for the BAC.
They are going to put me in jail for the max time for the DUI based on the bond amout, right? I am not sure what will happen with the BAC.
I haven't had any criminal history since this happen, does that mean anything?
Also I will have to get a job to save up for a lawyer since, if I am understanding correctly, I am not eligible for a public defender as this probation violation and not a new crime.
Will my mental illness have any bearing on any of this? I have had regular treatment but have changed medication several times due to symptoms appearing. My employer was aware of my illness and worked with me when I was sick, that's how I was able to maintain employment for so long with this illness.
I am scared to death but running from your problems just makes your problems grow. I have been reckless to "start over" and not answer to the courts for commiting the crime of violation of probation.
I had my family take my children prior to the arrests because I became suicidal and was at least coherent enough to protect them. It took five years before I felt safe enough with my mental state to move them back in. Now I will have to loose them all over again because I couldn't deal with this from the start. I say couldn't because even today, with all the progress I have made, I have a fear that I will die if I am locked up. Mental illness, sigh.
I am sorry for the long post, just trying to give you as much info as I can.
What am I up against???
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

