If you are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), your sentence will probably include a combination of classes and group therapy. Depending on your state and the type of your conviction, the length of the DUI program will vary. Before you request or agree to a program, you should learn more about your options.
Read your plea bargain or sentencing agreement. You will find most of the information about the length of your program right there. While standard classroom requirements are 30 to 42 hours, your entire program, including therapy, may stretch more than a year.
2
Check with the American Council on Alcoholism for a list of various treatment programs and classes available (see Resources below). Each program is different, but you will be able to learn about the basic topics and the length of classes.
3
Call the program you are interested in to find out the length and price of its course. Some states will assign you to a particular facility, while others let you choose. Find information about approved providers on your state or county health services Web site.
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Check with the court or county clerk's office after completing your DUI program to verify that you completed all the necessary steps, paid any outstanding fees and filed the needed paperwork to close out your program.
Tips & Warnings
No matter where your DUI occurred, you have the right to attend a program near your residence. Speak with officials from your case regarding a program assignment.
DUI laws vary from state to state, so look up the particulars of your local DUI laws (see Resources below).
A DUI conviction appears on your criminal record even if you agree to attend a program. Before you agree on a plea bargain, read through it to determine what will appear on your record.
If you fail to complete the program, your license (even a temporary one) could be revoked and you could return to court for further sentencing.
