CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles DUI And Alcoholics Anonymous

The Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous for DUI Offenders

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a simple 12-step program that debuted in 1935. Millions of alcoholics around the world have benefited from the principles of the program. While not every individual may have a success story, AA has proven to be a highly beneficial program for individuals who wish to stop drinking and wish to better their lives. Courts have also recognized the benefits of AA and have made AA meetings a rehabilitation component of sentences. Punishment is not enough, and sometimes, alcoholics who are convicted of DUIs require another path to travel to avoid future DUIs.

Not all people who receive a DUI are alcoholics, but even those who are not alcoholics can benefit from AA. It enables them to comprehend the extent of their drinking problem leading to a DUI conviction and helps them reevaluate the decisions that led to it. Probation cases typically require defendants to attend a certain number of AA meetings as a component of their probation.

Despite AA’s popularity, many people who aren’t familiar with the program can still benefit from it. Bill Wilson started AA in 1935, and it was intended to help him abstain from alcohol and avoid the terrors brought by alcoholism. AA is a simple program that assists people in staying sober one day at a time. The program brings together a diverse group of people sharing how they stay sober each day. No two alcoholics refrain from alcohol likewise. There’s always something new to learn and take away from each meeting. The great thing is that a participant can be a passive listener or an active partaker in the 12-step program and still leave each meeting as a better person than before.

AA meetings are fitting for DUI offenses. Judges and prosecutors commonly suggest AA meetings for defendants that appear to have a drinking problem. Even individuals who have not reached full-blown alcoholism can benefit from AA, and the progress can be arrested to prevent drinking behavior from leading to potential future DUI arrests. Courts frequently provide attendance sheets at the meetings, which the leader signs to prove that the individuals attended as recommended.

Whether or not AA meetings are recommended depends on the case’s details. AA meetings may not be recommended for first-time DUI offenses. On the other hand, most judges are more likely to ask for AA meetings for second-time DUI offenders. Additionally, failure to attend the meetings would result in a contempt of court. In some situations, a competent DUI lawyer can prevent you from being required to attend AA meetings if they pose a hardship in your life due to a hectic schedule or employment. During arraignment, the judge factors in case details such as the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) during arrest if it deems AA meetings necessary. Your DUI attorney can help you determine if you can attend AA meetings based on the court’s requirements. They can also barter AA meetings to reduce certain consequences of the sentence, potentially changing the conviction’s final outcome.

DUI charges are daunting, and many people are embarrassed after they’re charged. A competent Los Angeles DUI attorney like Michael Kraut can help reduce the stress that comes with such a sentence. AA meetings can show the court that you’re attempting to change your life for the better. Lawyers like Michael Kraut have been using AA meetings for years to demonstrate to judges that their clients are open to change and are willing to go to AA meetings to avoid another DUI conviction. Kraut can be reached at 888-334-6344 or 323-464-6453.

Table on DUI Offense Potential Penalties

Penalty | Description|
— | — |
Financial Fines | Fines ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars are possible.
Driver’s License Suspension | Driver’s license suspension for six months to several years is possible, with the possibility of hardship licenses or restricted driving.
Imprisonment | Jail time ranging from 1 day to several years is possible.
Community Service | Community service can range from a few hours to several weeks or months.
Probation | Probation may extend from 12 months to several years, requiring regular check-ins with a probation officer.

Table on Alcoholics Anonymous

Benefits of AA Meetings| Description|
— | — |
Reduced Recidivism | AA meetings are highly beneficial in reducing recidivism among DUI offenders as it addresses alcoholism’s psychological dimensions.
Peer Support | AA participants often benefit from the supportive environment the program provides. Attendees can participate passively or actively and benefit from the diverse group of people attending meetings.
Negative Reinforcement | AA meetings reinforce negative behaviors in the participants, decreasing the likelihood of engaging in such behaviors in the future.
Relapse Prevention | AA meetings offer participants coping mechanisms to avoid relapsing.