What is a DUI Court program?
DUI Court programs are becoming more popular with judges as a way of forcing a defendant to attend intensive substance abuse programs. Many Georgia courts are now ordering persons to attend DUI Courts as a part of the sentence. Typically, DUI Court programs last between 12 and 24 months. The programs are divided into 1 to 4 phases, and are coordinated by both a DUI Court director and the judge. As an example, in Phase 1 a person would attend 3 hours weekly counseling sessions, 2 AA meetings per week, a DUI Court review 2 times per month, and a random alcohol or drug screen once per week. Phase 1 last 5 months! As the defendant “graduates” from phase to phase, the number of meetings decrease. Since Georgia suspends a person’s license for the first 12 months on a 2nd DUI conviction, most DUI court program members cannot drive to the meetings. The success rates of DUI Court programs have been inconclusive.
