DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in Washington D.C.
If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. The District of Columbia offers their Deferred Sentencing Agreement which allows the person being convicted to have the courts defer their sentencing until the end of the diversion period. The person will complete the conditions of the agreement after pleading guilty to the drunk driving offense. The court will schedule the sentencing six months to one year from the date of the offense. During this time, the defendant is given requirements to abide by and conditions to fulfill.A DUI or DWI conviction in Washington D.C. 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 DC
Drinking and driving in Washington D.C. 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 Washington, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the laws regarding driving while drunk.
DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Washington 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 Washington D.C. 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 if any Washington D.C. 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
Well, in the District of Columbia, a first-time DUI has a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail and a $1000 fine and there is a mandatory fee of $100.The laws for DWI offenses are different in each area, and they allow for deferment programs in place of jail time. Some, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Washington D.C. 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 the District of Columbia, 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 Washington 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.
Failing a field sobriety test (FST) can lead to a DUI arrest because it provides probable cause that you were driving under the influence.
District of Columbia penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol
First Offense: 1st DWI/DUI conviction in Washington DC can result in the following consequences. Up to 180 days of incarceration in the prison system, higher BAC levels can have more severe sentencing. The courts in DC will issue fines up to $1000 and a driving revocation period will be imposed for up to 90 days.
Second Offense: 2nd Dwi conviction within 15 years of a previous conviction can result in up to one year in prison with a mandatory sentence of 5 days in jail. Washington DC will impose court-related fines of $2,500 up to $5,000 and a driver’s revocation period of up to 2 years. An ignition interlock program can be pursued for early reinstatement of monitored driving privileges.
Third Offense: 3rd or subsequent DWI conviction within 15 years of a previous conviction in Washington DC can result in a prison term of up to one year with 10 days mandatory. The courts will require community service for 60 days for a 3rd DUI conviction. Fines can range in cost from $2,500 up to $10,000 for the 3rd or subsequent DUI conviction. The courts can impose up to 3 years of suspended driving privileges unless the court approves of the driver ignition interlock system as an option for suspended revocation periods.
Washington D.C. 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.
Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Washington D.C. is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in the District of Columbia, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders.
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
Sources
Diversion Programs
DC Community Information
DC’s Drug Court
Penalties for Drinking and Driving
Erik Epp – Content Author
Summary
Service Type
DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in Washington D.C.
Area
Washington DC county courts dwi and dui alcohol convictions
Description
If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Washington DC there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life changing DUI conviction. A DUI or DWI conviction in Washington DC is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life changing consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life.
