DUI Classes and Alcohol Education Programs - What You Need to Know

A DUI arrest will result in possible disciplinary actions in a criminal court as well as a civil court. To properly navigate the legal system, it is important to hire a qualified DUI attorney. They will walk you through the process of arraignment, pre-trial conferences, motions hearing, trial, plea, and sentencing procedures.

A DUI attorney will also navigate you through the two separate entities that will be looking at your case: the Department of Licensing and the Criminal Court. The Department of Licensing hearing will determine if and how long your license is revoked. The criminal court will be assessing what penalties you face such as, jail time, probation, fines, and mandatory DUI classes.

First-time offenders should expect to by sentenced by the Criminal Court to participate in a short-term DUI class. Most of these classes will be one or two sessions and last approximately three hours each.

Individuals who are convicted of their second or third offense, as well as those with significantly high blood alcohol content will most likely be placed in a long-term DUI class. Long-term DUI class requirements vary state-to-state. Some programs require three months of class attendance and range in length to over two years.

The court has jurisdiction over which classes a DUI offender must attend. Some courts are flexible and allow you to choose the program you would like to participate in as long as it meets their guidelines. Other courts have specific DUI classes that you must enroll. In either scenario, it is the responsibility of the individual convicted to pay the course fees.

Long-term DUI classes may also require that the participants abstain from alcohol for the duration of the program. Instructors may require random drug and alcohol screenings. Class participants who fail one of these tests may have their report sent back to the court for further action. The long-term classes may also assign homework projects and require participants to bring a family member to classes in order to keep them accountable.

DUI classes will likely discuss the DUI laws that are applicable to your state and the consequences for repeat offenders. Classes will often times bring in prior DUI offenders or victims of drunk driving to explain their experiences.

These classes will often times work closely with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to encourage participants to find a support group for alcohol dependence. It is their hope that individuals find a support group to participate in after mandatory DUI classes are completed.

Classes require participants to be actively engaged. There is typically little tolerance for not interacting in discussions. DUI instructors will rarely be sympathetic to individuals who are tardy or skip sessions. While transportation to and from DUI classes may be difficult with a suspended license, they still expect participants to be punctual and work around their circumstances. Failure to be engaged and miss classes will be notified to the court and could result in jail time.

Facing a DUI conviction can be a life changing experience. The assistance of a DUI attorney to help navigate the legal system, and active participation in DUI classes can lead to a successful outcome.