DUI COURT
“The goal of this new program is to reduce recidivism
among drunk drivers and keep the public safe. Studies
show that traditional jail sentences and fines haven’t
worked to keep individuals from re-offending. DUI Court
is an intensive program where zero tolerance for alcohol
is enforced and participants are tested frequently, supervised
and required to attend individual and group counseling.”
Superior Court Judge Carl Biggs.
DUI Court is a relatively new program in Orange County. Superior Court Judge Carl Biggs oversees the DUI Court at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. This program is designed for people who have been charged with a second or third DUI and want to avoid the mandatory jail sentence these charges carry. It is a very challenging but rewarding experience. I have been extremely fortunate so far with my clients who are participating in the program. They are all doing surprisingly well considering the demanding requirements this program entails.
If you are interested in this program, you must first admit that you have a problem with alcohol and want to get help. Judge Biggs, while friendly and very fair, demands a lot from the participants in this program. If you do not believe you have a problem with alcohol, this program is probably not for you. If you are not sincere about maintaining sobriety, you would most likely be setting yourself up for failure.
I have helped several of my clients enter this program and can help you too. Because the time I spend on a DUI Court case is significantly less than a standard case, my fees are substantially lower.
The following is taken from a December 1, 2005 news release issued by the Orange County Superior Court:
DUI Court is modeled after the successful Drug Court program which requires offenders to undergo substance abuse treatment in combination with education, judicial monitoring, formal supervision and frequent alcohol / drug testing. The program is designed for offenders who have suffered their second or third arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are ready to admit their crime and addiction.
To be admitted to the program, defendants enter a guilty plea to their case that has been filed at the Harbor Justice Center, live in Orange County, not have any convictions for violence or weapon violations, and have the ability to travel to Newport Beach for court and Santa Ana for treatment and probation supervision. Upon enrollment into the DUI Court Program, the mandatory jail sentence required for repeat DUI offenders is stayed. If the participant successfully completes the program, electronic confinement may be allowed rather than incarceration at a jail facility.
Agencies who are working collaboratively with the Orange County Superior Court to administer the program include Orange County Probation, Orange County Health Care Agency’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, the police departments for the cities of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Irvine, and the non-profit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
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