DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in North Carolina

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in North Carolina 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 North Carolina. This option is available for first-time DWI or DUI offenders who have not participated in a deferral program in the past. Alcohol Drug Education Traffic School (ADETS) is an educational program for people who have a DWI conviction. This program is for people who do not have a substance abuse disorder but may be at risk for these disorders. PRIME for Life is the educational program used in all the ADETS programs in North Carolina. To begin the ADETS program, the defendant and the prosecutor must enter into an agreement to defer prosecution. The typical timespan to complete the program is six months.


A DUI or DWI conviction in North Carolina 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 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.

1-800-513-5423

What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving in North Carolina.

Drinking and driving in North Carolina 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 North Carolina, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina district court 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

Judges can assess a fine up to $200, plus surcharge fees, with a minimum jail time of 24 hours to 60 days, community service, probation, and your driver’s license will be suspended at even the lowest level or Level 5 punishment for DUI in North Carolina.

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. North Carolina 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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.