The Importance of an Alcohol Assessment in a DUI Case

Facing DUI charges can have severe consequences, affecting one’s driving privileges, employment prospects, and personal reputation. In DUI cases, the court often requires individuals to undergo an assessment administered by a qualified professional to evaluate their alcohol consumption patterns and associated risk levels.

A skilled DUI lawyer at The Law Office of Hillel Traub can attempt to mitigate the severity of the charges and consequences you face by ordering an alcohol assessment, which ultimately determines whether this behavior was a one-off occurrence or indicative of deeper issues, like a dependency on substances. That information helps determine whether rehabilitation might be more helpful than incarceration. If you have been arrested for a DUI charge, speak with us to understand your best legal options.

Understanding a DUI Alcohol Assessment

In a Maryland DUI assessment, an evaluator looks at the Drug Abuse Screening Test Scoring System in a Substance Abuse Evaluation using certain evaluation materials to assess any substance abuse in more depth. This enables an evaluator to obtain a comprehensive view of an individual, their history of abuse, and their lifestyle.

When presenting the assessment information to the court, the evaluator can show an individual’s progress. The judge will then be able to understand the situation and the individual on a deeper level. This may inform sentencing, such as whether the individual qualifies for unsupervised probation or must attend a treatment program or education classes.

Regardless of the conclusions reached in the assessment, evaluators are only interested in the type of sentencing that would be most beneficial to the offender, such as suggesting an Alcohol and Drug Program or more substantive aftercare. To understand whether an alcohol assessment is beneficial to your case, speak with an experienced lawyer at The Law Office of Hillel Traub.

Importance of an Alcohol Assessment in a DUI Case

If you have been charged with a DUI, an alcohol assessment may be imperative to your case, as it can lessen the penalties you face during sentencing. It is important to proceed with an assessment for the following reasons:

• You may earn a Probation Before Judgment (PBJ): In some jurisdictions, you may not earn a PBJ, even if you have no prior offenses, as some judges are of the opinion that you must earn a PBJ by completing an alcohol treatment or education program.
• Provides peace of mind for the judge: If a judge notices that you have been evaluated by a professional, they do not have to decide what type of treatment or supervision would be most beneficial. Generally, a judge will follow the professional’s recommendation and be at ease knowing they are not taking a risk by offering lighter sentencing.
• Shows initiative: Moving forward with an alcohol assessment shows you care about your case and you are taking the matter seriously. In the long run, it may help you avoid harsh penalties if you show that you are attempting to learn from your mistakes.
• You may earn unsupervised probation: If the results of the assessment indicate you do not have an alcohol use issue and it was an isolated incident, your DUI lawyer may argue you do not need to be supervised during your probation.
• You may avoid jail time: Generally, judges have compassion for individuals who recognize they have problems with alcohol and are taking steps to better themselves. As such, if you are enrolled in an inpatient program, you may avoid jail time.

An alcohol assessment can significantly influence the court’s decisions when determining appropriate penalties, such as fines, probation terms, or participation in alcohol programs. Working with an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer can help increase your likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Contact the DUI Violations Lawyer at The Law Office of Hillel Traub

By taking an alcohol assessment seriously and following the recommended treatment, individuals facing DUI charges can demonstrate a commitment to addressing alcohol-related behavior, potentially leading to lighter sentencing.

Working with Attorney Hillel Traub at The Law Office of Hillel Traub enables you to navigate the complexity of your case and work towards a favorable resolution. As a former lawyer of the MVA with over 30 years of experience, he knows how to protect your rights.

Contact us today by calling (410) 580-1100 or filling out our contact form.