DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in Arkansas

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Arkansas there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Arkansas. As of 2021, a DWI in Arkansas can only be counted or used against you for enhancement purposes for TEN (10) years after the date of the offense. This is true regardless of whether your prior DWI was from Arkansas or some other state. This law was changed from the prior lookback period of FIVE (5) years. If you get pulled over for drinking and driving in Arkansas and are required to take alcohol classes, you must complete these DWI education classes with an Arkansas DASEP Provider. Arkansas courts will not accept any online classes for DWI, Alcohol, or Drug Education. If you live out-of-state and received a DUI or DWI in the state of Arkansas and are required to take an Alcohol and Drug Education Class, please call your local court offices for requirements.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Arkansas is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-changing consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. Going to a DWI deferment program can help you avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

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What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving in Arkansas

Drinking and driving in Arkansas can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Arkansas, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Arkansas are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 with fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs for alcoholism in Arkansas for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed, the Arkansas district courts may terminate the probation period.

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

For your first DUI offense, you get a 24-hour to a 1-year jail sentence. In some cases, public service may be ordered instead of jail. Other fines and penalties include a $150 to $1,000 fine, plus the $300 court cost; 6 months of license suspension beginning one month following the date of arrest, during which time an ignition interlock restricted license is available as long as there was no refusal to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test following arrest. A restricted driving permit is available during suspension if intoxicated by a controlled substance. The license suspension is set aside if found not guilty. Increased penalty if there is a passenger under 16 years of age.

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs instead of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Arkansas has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Arkansas, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Arkansas can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Consequences of driving drunk in Arkansas

Arkansas has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

First Offense: 1st-time conviction of a drinking and driving offense in Arkansas can include imprisonment of up to one year in jail and fines ranging from $500 to $1000. The license will be revoked for 120 days. The judge may order an interlock device and probation another added cost.

Second Offense: 2nd-time conviction for a drinking and driving offense can have the following consequences. Prison terms can range from 30 days up to one year, or no less than 60 days of community service. Fines range from $400-$3,000, and a one-year suspension of driving privileges. The judge may order the interlock system for over a year.

Third Offense: 3rd-time conviction for a DWI/DUA in Arkansas has the following consequences. Prison terms can range from 30 days up to one year, or no less than 90 days of community service. Fines range from $900-$5,000, and a 30-month suspension of driving privileges. The judge may order the interlock system for over a year.

Fourth and Fifth Offense: 4th and 5th convictions for drinking and driving in Arkansans within 5 years of a previous conviction can subject the offender to 10 years in prison or at least 2 years of community service. Fines range from $900-5000 dollars and the driving privileges are revoked for at least 3 years.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in Arkansas.

Bentonville Arkansas Alcohol Detox and Rehabs
Eureka Springs Arkansas Alcohol Rehabilitation
Fort Smith Arkansas Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers
Hot Springs AR Alcoholism Treatment Facilities
Little Rock Arkansas Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Arkansas is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Arkansas, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Sources 
Arkansas DWI Court
Drug and Alcohol Safety Education Program (DASEP)
Arkansas DWI Statutes and Penalties
DWI Laws in Arkansas

Erik Epp – Content Author