shadowcat's alcohol arrest.
shadowcat
Atlanta suburb
I have already answered 6 emails and PM's about this, so let me just post it on here for every one that has not already read it.
I just spent the 17th and 18th at the Columbia Platinum Plus. I was leaving my hotel room on the 19th at 1100AM. The plan was to have breakfast at the Waffle House and then meet a favorite at the club.I was not stone sober but felt good enough to drive. I was walking down the concrete steps of the hotel. Awol bag in one hand. Ice chest in the other. I lost my balance and fell down.2 Cleaning ladies saw me fall and rushed to my rescue. They helped me up and down the stairs. I was scratched and bruised but nothing serious. They insisted that I should rest in the managers office until I felt better. I complied. The hotel called 911. The paramedics arrived. Followed by the police. The paramedics bandaged my knees and wanted to take me to the hospital. I thought this was over kill. What was the ER going to do? They had better things to do. I declined further medical attention. Then the cops said "hospital or jail". BIG mistake. I said jail. I just need a couple of hours of sleep. They cuffed me and took me to jail. I was booked on public drunkenness. I arrived at noon on Sat and was released at noon on Sun. I had to appear at a bond hearing at 900AM on Sun. I could have asked for a trial, posted bond, and then return for a court date in 1 or 2 weeks. That would have been a 4 hour drive. I elected to just plead guilty. I would have lost at a trial any way. 2 cops and 2 paramedics to testify against me.I did not have to post bond or pay a fine but the offense goes on my record. I got a taxi back to my car and drove home. I gotta watch my drinking or better yet, quit. My 1st time in jail and I want it to be my last. It is no fun!!!
I just spent the 17th and 18th at the Columbia Platinum Plus. I was leaving my hotel room on the 19th at 1100AM. The plan was to have breakfast at the Waffle House and then meet a favorite at the club.I was not stone sober but felt good enough to drive. I was walking down the concrete steps of the hotel. Awol bag in one hand. Ice chest in the other. I lost my balance and fell down.2 Cleaning ladies saw me fall and rushed to my rescue. They helped me up and down the stairs. I was scratched and bruised but nothing serious. They insisted that I should rest in the managers office until I felt better. I complied. The hotel called 911. The paramedics arrived. Followed by the police. The paramedics bandaged my knees and wanted to take me to the hospital. I thought this was over kill. What was the ER going to do? They had better things to do. I declined further medical attention. Then the cops said "hospital or jail". BIG mistake. I said jail. I just need a couple of hours of sleep. They cuffed me and took me to jail. I was booked on public drunkenness. I arrived at noon on Sat and was released at noon on Sun. I had to appear at a bond hearing at 900AM on Sun. I could have asked for a trial, posted bond, and then return for a court date in 1 or 2 weeks. That would have been a 4 hour drive. I elected to just plead guilty. I would have lost at a trial any way. 2 cops and 2 paramedics to testify against me.I did not have to post bond or pay a fine but the offense goes on my record. I got a taxi back to my car and drove home. I gotta watch my drinking or better yet, quit. My 1st time in jail and I want it to be my last. It is no fun!!!
25 comments
If you don't mind my curiosity...
How was the food?
Did you get your own cell?
I hope you were spared a body cavity search!
Shadowcat, I'm not going to get preachy here, but I have been through what you are in the midst of now. Somehow, I did manage to quit and I haven't had a drink in 23 years. We all know that drinking has caused you enough problems to land you in rehab at the beginning of this year. There is no shame in falling off the wagon, but it would be wise to consider getting back on that slow mover before you take a chemically-induced nap at 70mph and don't have the choice anymore.
I wonder how health care will look under Obama's plan. Everyone will be taken to the ER for minor problems because it's free/cheap and the health professionals want to try to max out profits and provide excessive health care. It already goes on with people on medicaid. Why should they bother scheduling a normal doctor's visit when they can just go to the ER whenever they feel like it and it is still all free for them.
"Good afternoon. Do you know why I stopped you?" the policeman asked.
"I know I was speeding," the driver said, "but it's a matter of life or death."
"Oh really?" the cop responded. "How's that?"
"There's a naked woman waiting for me at home," the man said.
"I don't see how that's a matter of life or death," the officer said.
"If I don't get home before my wife does," the motorist answered, "I'm a dead man."
The workers comp doctor may not care if you like him or not. He is getting your business because he has a contract with workers comp. If you went to a private doctor he is more motivated to keep you happy for repeat business. I am just guessing though. I am sure most doctors are great people and work hard at what they do regardless of their title or practice setting.
I tried dinner the 1st day. It was lousy (some kind of mystery meat). I passed on breakfast the next morning. At 5:30AM the only thing that interested me was trying to get more sleep. It was 2 men to a cell and we were pretty much locked down. The rooms were freezing. No body searches. I did get checked out by and MD on arrival and a follow up the next morning.I passed on lunch on Sun as I was in the process of getting released.
One thing that really pissed me off was the fact that I had to give them all my valuables. This included $440.00. I was on my way to a strip club. When I checked out they gave me a check for the $440.00 plus $2.00 in cash.That was for bus fare. I had planned to use my cash for a taxi. Fortunately they called a taxi for me that would accept service without cash up front.I had an ATM in my truck. About $300.00.
It was a Sat so there were no managers on duty. I asked them to call him. They did. He knows me by name but was unable to make a difference.
If I would have had some TUSCL advisors with me at the time. I might have opted for the hospital.I'm not going to fuck with it. It's over and done with.
Did you get one of those Nick Nolte/Mel Gibson type mugshots?
CT, I don't know why the checks. I was simply told, that's the way we do it.
(Paris, Lilo, MJ, Nick Nolte, et al)
http://www.celebuzz.com/20-greatest-cele…
And Yes, I have no money worries.
Anyway, congrats on dodging a bullet. Your cantankerous response "JAIL THEN, dammit, I ain't gonna go to no goddamned hospital" makes me proud to be a fellow monger. :)
Happy Holidays!
Let me see if I have the correct story though.
You fell down some steps and got some minor scratches. Instead of offering a bandaid, the hotel management acted in the extreme and caused you further suffering and anguish as a result of their actions. This was the Embassy Suites wasn't it? I don't plan to ever stay there. Thanks for the warning though.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/26/charlie-sh…
As for the Black Helicopter conspiracy theorists above:
I'd say it went something like this...Motel calls 911, "Someone just fell down the stairs!!!" Yes, that makes it sound worse than it was but thats the way things happen.
PD was probably sent with the ambulance as a routine response. They all thought you needed to go to the hospital, so the PD question of jail or hospital is generally answered, "Hospital". Its was as much of a liability issue for the PD and EMS crews as anything. Not saying that Shadowcat would sue, but alot of other people will litigate at the drop of a hat.
Ask Gridget, I bet she says pretty much the same thing.
Again, glad you're ok.