Dallas DWI Lawyer Blog

Kellene Stockwell in Nevada reports that the State is beginning a new program for DUI offenders. Third time DUI offenders who haven’t hurt anyone will be able to enroll into a three to five year treatment program instead of jail time.

This choice won’t cost taxpayers any money; offenders will have to pay for the program out of pocket. “And what they have to do for the first six months is go under house arrest. That means they have an ankle bracelet and they’ll be monitored,” says Chief Judge Jerry Polaha of the Second Judicial District Court.

They’ll also have to install a breath ignition interlock device on their car to prevent them from getting on the road if they’re drunk.

Advocates say it could equal less drunk drivers on the road simply because it’d be treating alcoholism head on. “If we can just get one, we’ve done our job. But we want more than one. It’s just not enough for the numbers we have in the county,” says Teresa Aquila of the Northern Nevada DUI Task Force.

Chief Judge Polaha says the specifics of how the program will work have yet to be figured out. “By not throwing, tossing them in prison for a year we can affect a positive change and I certainly hope so.”

If the offenders complete the program successfully their felony charge will be dropped to a misdemeanor. The new treatment program is set to start December 15th.

If you know someone who has been charged with a felony DWI/DUI you need to contact Dallas drunk driving attorney Mark T. Lassiter to find out the best course of action.