To locate court-approved DUI classes in Los Angeles, consult official resources provided by the County of Los Angeles or contact the California Department of Health Care Service (DHCS). Your DUI lawyer can also help you select the appropriate program and ensure compliance with court requirements.
If you have been charged with a DUI violation, consult with a Los Angeles DUI attorney immediately. (DUI) charges can bring serious consequences, including jail time, with long-term effects on your education, employment, finances, and overall future.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you understand your charges, possibly have them reduced, and guide you through the penalty process, which will include completing court-approved DUI classes. Call today to schedule an appointment.
Where Can I Find Court-Approved Classes Near Me in LA?
The County of Los Angeles offers a list of approved DUI programs in the Los Angeles area.
You can also contact The California Department of Health Care Service (DHCS) via email, by phone, or by accessing their DUI programs directory. There are about 500 state-licensed DUI schools in California. If you attend classes through a school that is not state-licensed, the program will not fulfill your court-ordered requirement.
What Is a Driving Under the Influence Class?
A conviction for driving under the influence in Los Angeles may mandate enrollment in a DUI class. The type and length of the program will depend on the specific details of your case.
DUI classes, or DUI schools, are alcohol education and prevention programs. Classes provide information on the ways alcohol and other substances affect one’s ability to drive, how to avoid drinking and driving, the risks associated with DUI, and the legal consequences of DUI convictions.
The programs are designed to help attendees take responsibility for their actions and avoid repeating them. They also provide information on addiction and treatment. You generally have to attend the program once a week. Attendees must remain sober during classes and participate in one-on-one counseling sessions.
Who Has To Attend DUI Classes?
In Los Angeles, individuals convicted of specific DUI-related offenses are typically required to attend court-approved DUI classes as part of their legal obligations.
If you are convicted of any of the following violations, you will be ordered by the court or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to attend DUI school:
- Driving under the influence: Vehicle Code 23152(a).
- Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher: Vehicle Code 23152(b).
- Underage driving under the influence with a BAC of .05% or higher: Vehicle Code 23140.
Those charged with a “wet reckless” offense will also be required to attend. “Wet reckless” is the name for a charge reduction for reckless driving violations involving alcohol or drug use. The reduction is authorized by Vehicle Code 23103.5 and is often the result of guilty or no-contest pleas by first-time DUI offenders.
How Long Are DUI Classes?
The duration of DUI school ranges from 12 hours to 30 months. How long you must attend depends on the specifics of your offense.
Underage first-time DUI offenders or those with a “wet reckless” conviction will likely receive the 12-hour requirement, while a repeat wet reckless charge can bring a 9-month requirement. Other factors used to determine program length are the offenders’ BAC, the number of prior offenses, and whether they refused chemical testing after their arrest.
Can I Attend Classes Online?
The California DHCS does not offer licensing to any online DUI programs. Attending online classes will not satisfy your court-ordered DUI class requirement.
To adjust to COVID-19 circumstances, DHCS made allowances for some providers to offer telehealth services. Your Los Angeles DUI Lawyer will know whether those allowances remain active.
What Is the 3-Month Program for DUI in California?
The 3-Month First Offender program, also known as AB541 DUI program, is addressed to those who received their first DUI conviction within a 10-year timeframe and registered a blood alcohol level below 0.2. Courts commonly mandate this program as a condition of probation, alongside other directives set forth by the presiding judge.
How Much Do the Classes Cost?
The cost of attending court-approved DUI classes is typically the responsibility of the individual convicted of the DUI offense. Offenders should budget for these expenses (in addition to other DUI costs), as they are a mandatory component of fulfilling court-ordered requirements.
While costs can vary among providers, you can expect the following tuition rates, on average:
- $200 – $400 per 12-hour program
- $450 – $600 per 3-month program
- $1,000 per 6-month program
- $800 – $1,500 per 9-month program
- $2,000 – $2,500 per 18-month program
- $3,000 per 30-month program
Most programs require an initial down payment.
What if I Cannot Afford DUI Classes?
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you cannot afford DUI classes. Request a financial assessment from the DUI class provider to determine if you qualify for reduced fees, which are offered on a sliding-scale basis.
You will need to provide proof of income documentation to the DUI provider before they proceed with the financial assessment.
How Will the Court Know I Enrolled in a DUI Program?
At the sentencing for your DUI violation, the judge will order proof of enrollment in a DUI program within 21 days. Upon your enrollment, program providers generally send proof to the court and the DMV for you, though you should always follow up to ensure the documentation was sent.
What Happens When I Complete Court-Approved DUI Classes?
At your sentencing, the judge will also determine a date by which you must complete the program. Upon completion, the program provider will send a certificate of completion to the court and DMV. Course completion is a requirement, among others, depending on your charges, for having your license reinstated.
What If I Miss a Class Session?
DUI class attendees are allowed a specific number of absences depending on the length of the required program.
The number of absences you can generally have in your DUI program is as follows:
- 12-hour programs allow 2
- 3-month programs allow 5
- 9-month programs allow 7
- 18-month programs allow 10
- 30-month programs allow 15
If you exceed the limit for your program, you will be dropped from the course. You also must attend a make-up class for any absence to receive a certificate of completion.
What Happens if I Fail To Complete the Program?
There are serious repercussions for failing to complete your court-approved DUI classes. If you fail to fulfill this requirement, you may face legal consequences.
Repercussions for failing to complete a DUI program in Los Angeles include:
- You can be charged with defying a court order, which is a probation violation and requires you to appear before a judge and face a potential jail sentence. Should you continue to drive, you can be charged with an additional DUI probation violation.
- The court may issue a California bench warrant for your arrest.
- You will not be able to drive legally in California. The DMV will revoke any restricted license privileges and reinstate your original license suspension.
A Statistical Overview of Los Angeles DUI Accidents and Arrests
According to a report published by the LA County Department of Public Health in October 2022, alcohol use in the past 30 days by age in Los Angeles County (LAC) was 9% for 12—to 17-year-olds, 54% for 18- 25-year-olds, and 55% for those over 26. The data shows a notable increase in alcohol use prevalence as age increases.
California DMV’s report on DUI arrests by county shows that in LAC, there were 24,642 arrests in 2018, 23,529 the next year, and 17,780 in 2020. The decreasing trend in DUI arrests suggests potential shifts in factors such as law enforcement strategies or changes in DUI behavior. It could also indicate improvements in measures such as increased availability of designated drivers.
Speak With a Los Angeles DUI Attorney
An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer is your best defense against DUI charges. It is in your best interest to face the charges and the court with a skilled legal representative. Your lawyer will seek to reduce your charges and subsequent DUI penalties, ensure you are treated fairly by the court system, and help you navigate the components of your punishment.
Protect your rights and your future by contacting a Los Angeles DUI attorney today.
