If you are convicted of a DUI with aggravating factors, you will need the help of a good felony DUI attorney. The penalties for a felony DUI can be quite serious, including jail time, fines, license suspension, and more. However, the silver lining is that you have plenty of options to explore which can help you seek lower penalties.
One of these options is rehabilitation programs. DUI is often a result of alcohol addiction and rehab programs are meant to help people charged with DUI get over this addiction. Such programs can broadly be categorized into two types.
Types of DUI Rehabilitation Programs
Outpatient Treatment Programs: An outpatient treatment program, as the name suggests, is when you are required to attend the treatment program within specific hours every day. Following the treatment, you can then go to work, return home, or perform other routine activities. An outpatient treatment program is typically a good option when you have been charged with DUI for the first or second time.
Inpatient Treatment Programs: Inpatient treatment programs are basically residential programs. So you are required to actually stay at the treatment facility for the duration of the program. This means being at the facility 24/7 until the program is completed. These programs include medication, group therapy, physical therapy, and more. The ultimate aim is to help you kick the addiction and get over it. Inpatient programs are the right option when you face serious jail time for a DUI offense.
Choosing the Right Rehab Program
After being convicted of a DUI offense, a presiding judge may mandate a rehabilitation program. When a judge orders a particular program, you must join it or you face the risk of aggravated penalties.
In some cases, you can voluntarily enroll in a rehab program. This is usually an option after lighter DUI offenses. When you have the option, it is important to consider a few vital factors before you choose the right program. Here’s a look at these factors:
Judge’s Preference: Judges presiding over DUI offenses typically have a list of rehab programs they prefer for yielding better results. You can consult your attorney to get to know these programs and choose one of them. The judge is more likely to approve your choice.
Accreditation: Sometimes, a judge may require that you enroll only in one of the state-accredited programs. Your attorney can provide you the details of these programs and you can then choose one that best meets your preferences.
Cost: Every rehab program costs differently. You can also choose from various payment options when paying for a particular program. Some rehab centers will accept insurance, others may allow you to pay cash, yet others come with the option of using loans to pay. You can explore these options and then see which of them best suits your finances.
Court Reporting: Depending on the specific circumstances of your DUI case, a court may mandate that the treatment center must send reports about your progress to the court. When this is the case, it is important to choose a center that fulfills this legal obligation.
Benefits of Enrolling in a Rehab Program
If you are charged with a DUI offense, enrolling in a DUI rehab program can offer you many benefits. These include:
- Diversion. For lighter DUI offenses, a court may allow you to enroll in a rehab program and complete it. In return, the DUI offense is altogether erased from your criminal record.
- Reduced Jail Time. Enrolling in a rehab program, particularly an inpatient treatment program, can help you get a reduced jail time or have the jail time waived altogether.
- Limited Driving Privileges. When you join a rehab program, it shows the court that you are willing to change. As a result, the court may permit you limited driving privileges. With a hardship permit, for instance, you can drive to and from a rehab program.
Hiring a Felony DUI Lawyer in Boise, Idaho
If you have been charged with a DUI offense, it is critically important to hire the help of a lawyer. A good lawyer will help you explore rehab as well as other options. Here at Hooper Law, we offer expert defense for DUI convictions. Our lawyers help you seek reduced penalties and explore the available treatment programs you can enroll in. We also work with you to prop up a solid defense to further aid in having your charges reduced or scrapped altogether. Call us today to book a consultation with our lawyers.