Following pleading guilty or being sentenced to a diversion program, many offenders convicted of a drunk driving related offense face mandatory, court ordered attendance at some form of dui courses. These courses are commonly a mandatory condition of one’s probation or suspended sentence, and in most cases, require completion to prevent being remanded into police custody again. While many offenders are concerned about the potential length of these courses, the reality is that without completion, they face incarceration. With that being said, an offender is afforded several options to reduce the length of time they must spend in dui courses.
Types of DUI Courses
Every offender, even those in the same jurisdiction and court venue, will incur different mandates from the judge requiring them to perform certain tasks. One of the ubiquitous conditions involves some form of dui course, which may focus solely on substance and alcohol abuse, preeminently focus on safe and defensive driving, and as seen most commonly, some hybrid form of these programs. In turn, each court will mandate the offender to a program that is “court approved” or in certain cases, to a specific institution or facility.
In many cases, an offender can choose from one or more facilities or programs to attend. However, be aware that these programs are state or county approved programs, which often feature similar, if duplicated programs, including length of instruction, completion requirements, and most notably, costs. These programs are relatively short in length, but often require attendance over a period of one to several months, typically several nights a week for several hours. The main issue many offenders face, who are making an honest attempt to complete conditions of their probation, are not the time considerations of being in class, but rather, the costs attending the class itself, as well as the costs of making arrangements (transportation, leaving work, childcare) to attend class.
Out of State or Non-Local Offenders
Most court venues do allow offenders that live in another county or state to attend dui courses in their local geographic area and complete the terms of their probation in another jurisdiction. However, this is only the case if pre-arranged with the courts, often through the representation of a lawyer.
Getting Legal Help with DUI Courses
Furthermore, varied levels of dui courses are offered, some involving more intensive programs and time commitments, which will not only vary by location, but by the sentence imposed by a judge. Consulting with a lawyer can reduce these programs, or if desired, allow an offender to attend an alternative rehabilitation program in lieu of dui courses, often something along the lines of in-patient rehabilitation. The only method to accurately determine the length of your individual dui course requirement is to consult with your probation officer or the courts through a lawyer.
