simplegirl2010
New Member
Is it Right?
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Hampshire
I was driving home after a meeting and was pulled over next a construction zone for "hitting a guard rail". I told the police officer that I did not and there was no damage on my truck. They proceeded to give me the battery of field sobriety tests. I have been diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD and major Depression. As soon as I saw the lights, I began to feel the panic onset. During the sobriety tests, my mind was racing and I started to feel hyperventilating start. I had to do the tests right next to the construction area with all the machines and men watching and the noise was overwhelming. I was wearing heels and had no jacket during this time.
The officer that had pulled me over asked me to take a blood alcohol test. I said no because under confusion caused by panic (If anybody has a panic disorder you know the irrational thoughts) because I thought that they were going to draw my blood on the side of the road. Following this, I was arrested and placed into the car. They had asked me about medical conditions and any medications and I had told them that they were in the vehicle and told them about my mental health.
They did not take my medications from the vehicle and proceeded to impound it without allowing me to have access to them.
On the way to the facility, I started to sweat and feel the onset of an extreme panic attack. I was placed into a holding cell, booked and then locked back in. At that point, I was left alone. I started to seriously hyperventilate at that point, was yelling for medical assistance and was having suicidal thoughts. I was confused and felt that I was having a heart attack. I continued to try to get someone's attention but no one came.
At the point where I was curled up and rocking on the floor, an officer finally came with the person that was picking me up. I was disoriented, talked to my therapist and was to the point where they thought that I needed to go to the hospital. I went home and was under suicide watch by a friend.
I was unable to get my medication that day and had to go without it until I found transportation to the impound thus adding further to the situation.
My question is this: I had not been drinking but because of the panic attack they were under the impression that I had. I feel that I needed medical assistance while I was in the holding cell and had no officer within the vicinity to get me to a hospital. I had no medication and no help in this unit which led me to have a very serious breakdown following this incident which was observed by my therapist and psychiatrist. I am looking for a lawyer but I do not even know if this situation will even matter.
Will the court see that I was neglected in the holding cell and that my medical conditions were to assessed correctly? With panic disorder, rational thoughts are nearly impossible and will this impact the decision to convict me?
I was offered a plea but turned it down because I feel that I was not going to plead to something that I am not guilty of but I don't know if I made the wrong choice in trying the fight the system.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Was I treated fairly in custody? How can I begin to prove that I was wrongfully accused? Do you feel, with your knowledge, that I have a high probability of facing a conviction for this?
Thank you for your time. I am just at my wits end with this. I am a full time student that is graduating this year and I can't afford to have this on my record with my career choice.
Again, thank you for any input that you may have.
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Hampshire
I was driving home after a meeting and was pulled over next a construction zone for "hitting a guard rail". I told the police officer that I did not and there was no damage on my truck. They proceeded to give me the battery of field sobriety tests. I have been diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD and major Depression. As soon as I saw the lights, I began to feel the panic onset. During the sobriety tests, my mind was racing and I started to feel hyperventilating start. I had to do the tests right next to the construction area with all the machines and men watching and the noise was overwhelming. I was wearing heels and had no jacket during this time.
The officer that had pulled me over asked me to take a blood alcohol test. I said no because under confusion caused by panic (If anybody has a panic disorder you know the irrational thoughts) because I thought that they were going to draw my blood on the side of the road. Following this, I was arrested and placed into the car. They had asked me about medical conditions and any medications and I had told them that they were in the vehicle and told them about my mental health.
They did not take my medications from the vehicle and proceeded to impound it without allowing me to have access to them.
On the way to the facility, I started to sweat and feel the onset of an extreme panic attack. I was placed into a holding cell, booked and then locked back in. At that point, I was left alone. I started to seriously hyperventilate at that point, was yelling for medical assistance and was having suicidal thoughts. I was confused and felt that I was having a heart attack. I continued to try to get someone's attention but no one came.
At the point where I was curled up and rocking on the floor, an officer finally came with the person that was picking me up. I was disoriented, talked to my therapist and was to the point where they thought that I needed to go to the hospital. I went home and was under suicide watch by a friend.
I was unable to get my medication that day and had to go without it until I found transportation to the impound thus adding further to the situation.
My question is this: I had not been drinking but because of the panic attack they were under the impression that I had. I feel that I needed medical assistance while I was in the holding cell and had no officer within the vicinity to get me to a hospital. I had no medication and no help in this unit which led me to have a very serious breakdown following this incident which was observed by my therapist and psychiatrist. I am looking for a lawyer but I do not even know if this situation will even matter.
Will the court see that I was neglected in the holding cell and that my medical conditions were to assessed correctly? With panic disorder, rational thoughts are nearly impossible and will this impact the decision to convict me?
I was offered a plea but turned it down because I feel that I was not going to plead to something that I am not guilty of but I don't know if I made the wrong choice in trying the fight the system.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Was I treated fairly in custody? How can I begin to prove that I was wrongfully accused? Do you feel, with your knowledge, that I have a high probability of facing a conviction for this?
Thank you for your time. I am just at my wits end with this. I am a full time student that is graduating this year and I can't afford to have this on my record with my career choice.
Again, thank you for any input that you may have.
