Are alcohol education classes mandatory if I have a DUI conviction?

Many states do make mandatory alcohol education classes one of the penalties for a DUI conviction. These classes may be ordered by the court or the DMV. Either way, in many states successful completion of this course can help reduce some of the other penalties of a DUI conviction.

Most mandatory alcohol education classes last several weeks to several months. They often meet once a week for two to three hours. They can cost several hundred dollars, which is just another one of the many costs making a DUI conviction prohibitively expensive.

The elements contained in mandatory DUI classes often include:

• Alcohol assessment – to determine your level of alcohol use or dependency and the best plan to help you curtail these dangerous behaviors

• Methods of managing your alcohol abuse

• Techniques to limit or abstain from drinking, and especially from drinking and driving

• The dangers and penalties of continued violations of DUI laws

• Other psychological and physical evaluations

Many states have optional alcohol education classes that may help you reduce your charges and penalties as well. In addition, in some states, the sooner you begin your classes, the sooner you may be able to obtain a hardship license if your driver’s license is suspended.

It can be essential to have an attorney familiar with your state requirements and the benefits of completing these classes help you determine the best plan for satisfying your DUI penalties.