What Is DUI School Like In Florida?
DUI probation is quite onerous in Florida and before you take a plea, you should be aware of what you’re in for. Part of what constitutes DUI probation is DUI school. DUI probation requires that those who take plea deals in DUI cases complete a state-accredited program known colloquially as DUI school. It is a requirement before your license can be fully reinstated.
While you may have multiple choices as to which DUI school you choose, you will need to choose a school inside of your county. While a district like the Orlando area will have multiple options, not all counties will. The requirements for every DUI school are the same. You will be required to pay a fee for the DUI school.
Below, we’ll take a look at the ins and outs of DUI school in Florida.
DUI school: What’s that all about?
One of the first questions DUI attorneys are asked is “how long will this take?” There’s no simple answer. The bare minimum of a simple DUI case involving no aggravating factors could require as few as 12 hours minimum. The course is taught by a DUI instructor with level-1 certification. Those with aggravating factors or repeat offenders would likely be required to take a 21-hour class.
As far as the curriculum goes, it follows closely to a basic school environment. You are required to retain information given to you in hand-outs, lectures, and videos. You will also be required to undergo a 1-hour psycho-social evaluation conducted by a DUI evaluator.
What will I learn in DUI school?
You will not learn anything that will improve your career. It’s about eating up your time, ensuring compliance, and preventing recidivism. You will learn about the impact of drugs and alcohol on a person’s cognition. This information will be tilted toward the worst-case scenarios. Often, the science presented in the classroom is ten years behind real science. In some cases, it may not reflect actual science.
You will also be educated on Florida’s onerous DUI laws, how the process of adjudicating a DUI offender works, and you’ll be encouraged to download an Uber app to avoid this problem next time.
You will be exposed to horror stories of families that have been ripped apart because of a drunk driver. The purpose of this is obvious. You will be told about the impact both on the family and on the driver who likely served prison time and is now wracked with guilt.
Finally, you will be introduced to drug and alcohol resources in the area which could include 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
To be sure, DUI school is not a fun way to expand your horizons. It is part of the punishment for driving while intoxicated. There are ways to beat a DUI charge in some cases. So before you take a plea deal that places you on DUI probation, you ought to discuss the matter with an attorney.
Talk to an Orlando DUI Lawyer Today
FL DUI Group helps good people avoid the worst punishments of getting a DUI. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment and we can begin discussing your defense options immediately.
