Alcohol education classes are popular in the state of California. Many people subject to a DUI or other alcohol-related offense will attend a class at one point or another.
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Alcohol Education Classes
Drunk driving convictions carry several consequences. These penalties include:
- fines,
- jail time,
- driver’s license suspensions, and/or
- mandatory alcohol education classes.
The duration of the classes depends on the offense and the number of DUI / DWI convictions a driver has over a 10-year period.
Court or DMV Mandate
Alcohol education classes derive from either the court or the DMV. Usually, the mandate accompanies a handful of other penalties. Often, a driver with suspended license must work to obtain a restricted license. In order to obtain this license, he or she must either enroll in or complete alcohol education courses.
There are times when mandatory alcohol education is not-so-mandatory. It is possible to receive a reduction in requirements through a plea bargain. To clarify, a plea bargain is an arrangement with a prosecutor that allows a DUI driver to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Generally speaking, the reduced charge carries a more manageable educational requirement.
An experienced California drunk driving attorney evaluates each case to determine whether a plea bargain is a likely or favorable outcome.
Single or Multiple Convictions
Like other aspects of a DUI / DWI case, the length of an alcohol education requirement depends on the number of convictions. The prosecutor evaluates the convictions within a 10-year time period. Multiple convictions within the 10-year period have harsher penalties. Compared with a second arrest, a first arrest is much easier. For example, if a second arrest occurs more than 10 years after a first offense, it now technically a “first-time” DUI.
The standard first-offender alcohol education program requires attendance at one three-hour session for 12 weeks, or approximately 36 hours of coursework. It may be possible to get a restricted driver’s license to allow for driving to and from the program.
In light of this, the standard program for second-offenders is divided into several phases, and typically begins with mandatory attendance at weekly sessions, gradually changing to every other week. Finally, there is a 30-month program for multiple offenders.
Mandatory attendance at alcohol education programs can sometimes be reduced through careful negotiation. A California lawyer experienced in defending DUI / DWI cases can evaluate each case to determine how to minimize the amount of alcohol education and other consequences of a drunk driving arrest.
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