Required Clinical Evaluation After a DUI Conviction
If you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia, you may be required to get a clinical evaluation from a licensed evaluator as part of your probation. This is separate from the DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction program. For all second DUIs and subsequent DUI convictions, an evaluation will have to be successfully completed before the driver can have their suspended license reinstated.
Any person who is convicted of a DUI in Georgia, or when a Georgia licensed driver gets an out-of-state DUI, they must undergo a Department of Driver Services (DDS) approved Clinical Evaluation, and if recommended, complete a Substance Abuse Treatment Program. The Clinical Evaluation will have to be conducted by a Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) approved professional evaluator, who has been certified in addiction.
After the Clinical Evaluation, it is up to the evaluator to determine whether a treatment program is recommended. A treatment program consists of attendance and participation in the evaluator's recommended program. Failure to attend and participate in the continuing treatment program may result in a violation of your probation. The Georgia DBHDD website provides a search tool to locate approved Clinical Evaluators.
Substance Abuse Treatment
If the evaluator recommends Substance Abuse Treatment, then the DUI offender will have to complete the recommended program. Georgia law prohibits the same evaluator from providing the recommended treatment, so separate independent treatment provider is required.
The DUI offender has to select a treatment provider that offers the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) level of care specified by the clinical evaluator. Depending on the type of program, drug or alcohol abuse treatment may last up to a year. After participating in and completing all the required treatment, a review of the plan will be evaluated to determine if the individual needs additional counseling. When the individual has successfully completed treatment, they are provided a Certificate of Treatment Completion.
Once treatment has begun, a multiple DUI offender who is eligible for a restricted driver's license may receive a Verification of Treatment Enrollment Form, so they can receive work permit driving privileges.
At anytime before the full completion of the substance abuse treatment program, if a DUI offender drops out of the treatment or is terminated, they will have to restart treatment, starting from the beginning at week one. Any temporary driving permit may be revoked by DDS.
Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney
If you got pulled over and arrested for a DUI in Atlanta or anywhere else in Georgia, it is important to understand all the consequences of a DUI conviction. On top of any fines jail time, and DUI school, a driver will have to undergo a clinical evaluation after a DUI conviction. With over 20 years of Georgia DUI experience, I have successfully represented thousands of people charged with drunk driving. Call me today and we'll work to get your charges reduced or dismissed, so you can keep a clean criminal record.