DUI Clinical Evaluation and Risk Reduction Oklahoma
The penalties associated with driving under the influence (DUI) are certainly serious—but fighting your charge is possible with The Edge Law Firm on your side. Regularly recognized by SuperLawyer as one of the top attorneys in Oklahoma, Bruce Edge has the skill necessary to challenge your DUI arrest. In fact, he wrote the definitive book on Oklahoma DUI law and will use his expertise when preparing a defense for your case.
Under Oklahoma state law, DUI carries a mandatory license suspension—and if you are convicted of drunk driving, you can expect to lose your license for 30 days or more. In addition to this penalty, you may also be required to complete a DUI clinical evaluation and risk reduction program before your driving privileges can be reinstated. However, with the right defense strategy, you may be able to avoid these penalties.
Undergoing a Clinical Evaluation
If you are convicted of DUI, the court may require you to get a clinical evaluation as part of your sentence. In most cases, the judge presiding over your case will make this decision; however, your attorney and/or probation officer can also request an evaluation if they believe it will benefit you.
The purpose of the clinical evaluation is to determine whether you should be treated for substance abuse and, if necessary, identify the best approach for your treatment. During a one-on-one consultation with a licensed addiction specialist, you will review and discuss your history of DUI, your relationship with alcohol or drugs, and how your alcohol or drug use affects your life. If the results of this evaluation indicate that you will benefit from treatment, the judge presiding over your case may then order you to complete an approved rehabilitation program.
Completing a Risk Reduction Program
Even if your clinical evaluation ultimately finds that you do not require treatment, the judge may still order you to complete a risk reduction program. Commonly referred to as DUI School, risk reduction programs are designed to educate drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence. Although the length of the program can vary based on the provider, you will probably need to complete at least ten hours of coursework in order to fulfill the terms of your sentence.
Some drivers participate in clinical evaluations and risk reduction programs because the court has ordered them to do so. However, in certain situations, completing the programs before your DUI hearing may actually help you avoid a conviction.
To determine whether completing a clinical evaluation and/or enrolling in DUI School will benefit your defense, contact Oklahoma’s leading DUI attorneys—The Edge Law Firm—today. During our time in practice, we’ve helped many drivers like you avoid the consequences of a drunk driving conviction—and when it comes to your defense, no one will fight for you more.
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