An Overview Of DUI School

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), one of the things you may hear a lot about is the DUI school. Your DUI attorney might suggest attending DUI school as well. Below is a brief overview of DUI schools.

What It Is

A DUI school is a program that teaches its attendees about DUI laws, alcohol laws, drunk driving, and the effects of drunk driving on the community. DUI classes are typically held at local community colleges, usually at night.

The Benefits

The benefits of DUI classes are numerous. For one, you will learn about the effect of DUI on your life and your community at large. For many people, however, the main benefit is the ability to mitigate DUI charges or punishment in case of a conviction. Many courts look favorably on DUI suspects who have gone to DUI school. You may also receive alternative sentencing or mitigating sentencing in exchange for court-mandated DUI classes.

The Duration

There is no fixed duration for DUI schools. The classes can last for a few hours or a few months. The duration depends on state laws, the gravity of the DUI offense, and the number of DUIs in the person's history, among other things.

Who Needs It

There are two classes of people who need DUI classes. First, you need the classes if you have been charged with a DUI, and you suspect the judge might order you to enroll for the classes. A preemptive enrollment may win favor with the judge by showing that you are desperate to change your ways and avoid further DUI.

Secondly, you also need the DUI charges if the court has ordered your enrollment. Failure to obey court orders might attract further criminal charges from the court. Ultimately, however, anyone who has been charged with DUI can benefit from DUI classes because they teach valuable lessons.

Cost

A DUI conviction can cost you a lot of money, and one of these costs is DUI classes enrolment. The cost of DUI classes varies just as widely as the duration of the classes. In many cases, you will also be required to undergo alcohol treatment in addition to the DUI classes. Expect to spend anything from $1,000 to $3,000 for both programs, with the DUI school alone costing a little less than that.

Consult a lawyer if you are facing DUI charges, and you want professional defense. The lawyer will advise you whether you should preemptively enroll for DUI classes or wait for the court's direction.