Getting a DUI in Georgia can affect your entire life if things do not go the way you want. While some offenders are only given minimal punishment or a slap on the wrist, others find themselves with fines, suspended licenses and even jail time. This is particularly true for those who are repeat offenders.
According to FindLaw, some courts use some form of drunk driving education or DUI school in place of the harsher penalties. These programs are often used to reduce, replace or eliminate the strict reality that many DUI offenders face. When an offender completes the terms of a therapy program or an alcohol education course, their driving privileges may be restored. On the other end of the spectrum, those who fail may end up back in court for further action and lose their eligibility for license reinstatement.
Advocates of these programs believe that they are more effective than incarceration or monetary fines because they get at the heart of why a person is drinking and driving. If you end up in jail for a DUI, you are unable to use drugs or alcohol but may find yourself in the exact same situation once you get out. With a treatment or school program, you must meet regularly with a counselor and sometimes undergo testing to determine if you have been drinking. These programs are also designed to identify the triggers that cause people to drink and help the offender develop healthy coping mechanisms, so they do not return to alcohol when life gets hard.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, you may benefit from a treatment program instead of a harsh penalty. A criminal defense lawyer with experience in DUI/DWI can help you get the solution that will set you up for a successful future.
This is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.