DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in Montana
If you have been pulled over and arrested for drinking and driving offenses in Montana there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Montana law requires people who are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to complete the ACT phases. ACT has three components: Assessment, Course, and Treatment. Assessment is an evaluation to determine if the offender is chemically dependent and must be performed by a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) at a state-approved program. If an offender disagrees with the results of their assessment, they may seek—at their own expense—a second opinion from an independent counselor licensed to practice in Montana. The offender must then seek the opinion of the court as to which recommendation is the most appropriate treatment course to follow. The course 12 hours of education regarding Montana law; consequences for driving impaired; and how alcohol/drugs affect a person’s physiology, driving, and choices. The course, PRIME for Life, must be provided by a LAC at a state-approved program. PRIME For Life® is an evidence-based program. The level of treatment recommended will depend on the level of chemical dependency found in the assessment. Recommendations will vary from outpatient to residential inpatient treatment. An offender may seek the appropriate level of treatment from any competent provider licensed to practice in Montana. The purpose of ACT is to reinforce the consequences of DUI conviction and interrupt the cycle of driving impaired.
A DUI or DWI conviction in Montana is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts in determining 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.
1-800-513-5423
What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving in Montana
Drinking and driving in Montana 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 have an effect on 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 Montana, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.
DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Montana 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 dollars with the 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 in Montana 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 Montana district courts may terminate the probation period. 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 to talk 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
For your first offense DUI, you will be fined between $600-$1,000; not less than 24 hours in jail and up to 6 months in jail, suspension of driver’s license for at least 6 months, completion of ACT program, prohibited from entering bars or casinos or possessing alcohol for 6 months after conviction.The laws for DWI offenses are different in each state, and they allow for deferment 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. Montana 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 Montana, 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 Montana 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.
Penalties for Drinking and Driving in Montana
First Offense: 1st DUI/DWI Conviction in Montana will have one or more of the following consequences. License suspension for a period of 6 months up to a year fines between $300 and $2,000, and a term of incarceration for a period not to be longer than 12 months in prison.
Second Offense: 2nd drinking and driving conviction in Montana and you could face up to one year in jail, fines ranging from $600 up to $2,000, and a license suspension for a period of one year. Courts at their discretion may or may not recommend treatment for alcohol abuse.
Third Offense: Individuals who are convicted of a 3rd driving under the influence infraction may face up to one year in prison, fines from $1,000 up to $10,000, and a license suspension for a period of one year.
Montana 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.
Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me
Please contact us by phone for immediate assistance. This is a necessary step in beginning the recovery process for yourself or for a loved one. Our addiction treatment specialists and staff have over 25 years of experience in helping people find effective and affordable treatment for all addictions. What you tell us is completely confidential. We are HIPAA compliant. We are here to answer your questions and to get you (or a loved one) into treatment today. For immediate intake, call us now.1-800-513-5423
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 Montana.
Billings, Montana Alcohol Rehabs
Butte, Montana Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Great Falls, MT Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Havre, Montana Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment
Helena, Montana 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Kalispell, MT Inpatient Alcoholism Rehab Programs
Missoula, Montana Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs
Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Montana is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Montana, 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.
1-800-513-5423
Sources
Montana DOT
Montana Judicial Branch
Montana Drug Treatment Courts
DUI Education
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in Montana
Erik Epp – Content Author