DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in California

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a DUI offense in California, 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 California.  A person who is convicted of a first DUI offense must complete a state-licensed 3-month, 30-hour alcohol and drug education and drug or alcohol counseling program. When you have been convicted of a first DUI offense and have a blood alcohol content of 0.20 or higher, you must complete a state-licensed nine-month, 60-hour alcohol and drug education and alcohol misuse counseling program. These programs are designed to enable first-offender DUI clients to support positive lifestyle changes, consider attitudes and behavior, and reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol and/or drugs. The objective of the DUI program is to try to reduce the number of repeat DUI offenses by completing a State-licensed DUI program and to provide participants an opportunity to address problems related to the use of alcohol and/or other drugs. There are multiple levels of the program, depending on the type of offense. The 3-Month First Offender or AB541 DUI program is for those who have been found guilty of a DUI for the first time within 10 years and with a blood alcohol level below 0.2. Courts will generally order a 3-month program as a condition of probation, along with other requirements as issued by a judge.

A DUI or DWI conviction in California 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.

If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance or any other major insurance through your job, there are in-network rehab programs throughout California. Choosing a covered treatment center can lower costs and make getting help more accessible.

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Addiction No More® cannot give legal advice; however, if you are looking for addiction treatment, we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today, and we can help. 

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

Drinking and driving in California can be a serious offense, and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, ensure you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the result of the court’s judgment 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 standard terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In California, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in California 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 $ 1,000 to $ 2,500, including fines, not including lawyer fees or 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 also benefit you. 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’s life.

Treatment programs in California for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once the defendant and the community service pay all financial consequences, the California district court may terminate the probation. Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives, other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is talking to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-513-5423

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

AB762
6 Month program (AB762)
This is considered a first-offender program for defendants with higher BAC levels. It consists of 48 hours of drug/alcohol education, group counseling, face-to-face interviews, and additional County requirements, as described by the providers.

The laws governing DWI offenses vary by state, and some allow deferred prosecution programs in lieu 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. California 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 California, 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 grave charges. When a minor is involved, the courts in California can impose more serious outcomes 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. If you have an open DWI case in California, call us, and we can help you locate a deferred prosecution program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders.