rehab may lessen dui chargeIf you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the court might question if this suggests you have a substance abuse problem. The judge could order you to attend a court-approved rehab facility or you may voluntarily offer to attend rehab to reduce the penalties associated with the DUI charge.

The Role of Rehab in a DUI Case

Virginia law gives judges discretion to use court-ordered rehab instead of jail time for nonviolent offenders. This helps keep the prison population down and can provide offenders with the support they need to avoid future legal troubles. Rehab can also be ordered as part of a sentence that includes some jail time, depending upon the circumstances associated with the charge. There are court-ordered treatment facilities throughout the state, offering both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

Even if the court does not require you to complete a drug or alcohol rehab program, voluntarily seeking treatment can be a way to avoid jail time or earn a more lenient sentence. By admitting you have a substance abuse problem, you're telling the judge that you understand your conduct was inappropriate and that you're committed to making sure the same thing doesn't happen again.

Voluntarily seeking rehab is most effective for first time offenders, but still an option even if this is a second or subsequent offense. However, you should speak to your attorney before committing to a program to ensure that the facility's treatment plan is one that is likely to be supported by the court.

T. Kevin Wilson Can Help You Find DUI Treatment Programs

The penalties for a DUI conviction can be quite serious, which is why it's vital that you have access to skilled legal representation throughout the process. Virginia defense attorney T. Kevin Wilson has advanced training in standardized field sobriety testing, breath alcohol testing, and blood alcohol testing, which allows him to investigate every possible avenue of defense for his clients. Call today for a free, no-obligation case review.