A DUI is a severe crime with consequences that can linger for years. If convicted, you may face jail time, fines, fees, and license suspension and may be required to participate in an alcohol education program.
Many counties and tribal nations have coordinators and assessment facilities that administer this standardized course. It includes classes and individual and group counseling sessions.
Life Impact Panels
An online DUI class is typically a non-confrontational program in which crime victims and offenders share their stories, hoping it will change how convicted drunk drivers think. If you have been convicted of multiple DUI offenses, realizing that your actions’ effects reach beyond the judicial system is essential. This understanding can be beneficial.
DUI offenders are taught to take stock of their lives and who they surround themselves with. Often, the people they hang out with are bad influences on their drinking and driving behavior. Those who can remove the negative influences from their life may be able to make better decisions and avoid future DUI incidents.
An OWI education program online can be completed at your own pace and is usually cheaper than an in-person class. It’s convenient for people with busy schedules since you can sign on and off whenever you want. These programs are also an excellent option for those who must take the classes as part of their probation.
Victim Impact Panels
While traditional punishment for drunk driving may include a fine, license suspension, or even jail time, many court systems have started implementing alternative sentencing forms, including DUI classes and victim impact panels. These programs are designed to help offenders understand the consequences of drunk driving and reduce their chances of committing future offenses.
Victim impact panels are presentations of victims or survivors telling stories about how drunk driving has affected them and their families. These presentations are usually non-confrontational and do not attempt to blame the offenders. The purpose is to show offenders the pain, emotional distress, and financial loss that results from a drunk driving crash.
Attending a victim impact panel is usually required for offenders charged with an alcohol or substance-related traffic violation. The classes are held in a group session setting and often include lectures, multimedia presentations, and other activities.
Social Impact Panels
The Victim Impact Panel is a non-confrontational presentation of victims and their families telling their personal stories about how alcohol/drug-impaired driving has impacted their lives. Other guest speakers, movies, and information are also presented. It helps offenders realize the physical pain, emotional suffering, devastation, and financial loss that innocent people and their families endure due to drunk driving crashes.
Twelve-week group program that helps male and female offenders change their behaviors about alcohol/drug use and driving. It is a cognitively-based program designed to supplement treatment/ 12-step groups. A fee is required.
Counseling
Typically, a person convicted of DUI must attend a counseling program that educates them on the effects alcohol and drugs have on driving. This counseling is done in a group-oriented classroom setting and can take the form of one-on-one sessions and groups with other DUI offenders. This counseling is a significant part of the overall OWI education program.
Depending on the offender’s status, either the county where they reside or the tribal nation oversees the program’s administration. All participants must first undergo an assessment, which is mandated by the court and involves a standard interview process. The evaluation results in the creation of an individual driver safety plan.
Those participating in the OWI educational and counseling program must also complete Level II therapy, a two-part education and therapy course that lasts 12 weeks. This class is for offenders with a history of multiple DUI convictions and is designed to address long-standing problems with drinking and driving.
