If you are charged with driving under the influence for the first time, you may be offered the option to attend a DUI first offender program. You will want to talk to your DUI attorney about this option if it is offered to you, and then you will want to act accordingly. Normally, if you are recommended for a DUI first offender program it means that you will be able to merit less or no jail time in exchange for attending this class. These programs are offered in most states and are called “rehabilitation programs” where offenders are taught the dangers of DUIs and the negative effects of alcohol.

The point of these programs is to show DUI offenders the dangers of their actions and encourage them to never repeat their mistakes. The programs normally consist of classes that educate DUI first offenders on the dangers of drinking and driving. All attendees have to undergo an evaluation to determine whether or not they have a drinking problem. If they are considered a chronic drinker, they may need to attend alcoholic rehabilitation classes. Sometimes, when a DUI convict is released from the program he or she may be required to report to a probation officer and avoid drinking alcohol.

Most of the time a DUI first offender program begins with a standard court appearance. At this point, a judge will determine if the individual should be entered into the program or if he or she should be prosecuted. In most states, suspects will be eligible for the program if they did not have a BAC above 0.2 percent and did not injure another person out on the road while intoxicated. A judge will place all program attendees on probation. This monitoring system will typically last between 7 and 12 months depending on the details of the DUI.

An individual who was charged with a DUI and admitted into the program will need to schedule DUI classes and an alcohol evaluation. Normally, this needs to be done within one and four weeks of the day that the offense was committed. The programs often span a number of weekends and are treated almost like seminars. You will learn many statistics on drunk driving and be able to see the widespread affect that driving intoxicated has on your community. You must finish the entire program before the end of your probationary period, or you may end up back in court with punishments for failing to fulfill your duties. Chances are that if you don’t complete the program on time you will be prosecuted for your DUI to the fullest extent of the law. This means maximum fines and maximum jail times.

Most DUI classes are 10 to 30 hours. While most are hosted at government-owned locations, you may be able to attend an online DUI school instead. The classes can be completed at night or over the weekends as long as they are scheduled during the probationary period. There are a lot of benefits to attending a DUI first offender program. First of all, the first offender program will save you thousands of dollars in court fees because you will not need to attend a full trial. You will also be able to avoid jail sentences and may be able to get the DWI expunged from your record on completion of the program. This will make things easier if you ever need to submit to a background check in the future.

While you are in the program, chances are that you will not be permitted to consume or purchase alcohol. Even if you buy a bottle of cooking wine or a beer for a friend, you may be prosecuted. It’s essential that you abide by all the statutes of your probation so that you will not be taken back to court. Contact a DUI attorney today if you need more information about first offender programs!