No one wants to get a DUI. Unfortunately, it does happen and understandably causes a great deal of stress and anxiety. There are concerns about going to jail, losing your license, increased insurance premiums, losing your job, and fees and expenses.

There are things that you can do to achieve the best possible result. You can immediately enter a certified alcohol treatment program. They will determine the best course of treatment which may be a 12 hour educational program, 26 or 52 hours of group counseling, or other more intensive forms of treatment. They will randomly test you for alcohol use. They are happy to write reports for court and will even send a representative to court. The sooner you begin treatment the better because the judge will expect it and will note how quickly you started the program after the offense.

You also can attend a Victim Impact Panel through Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Unless you are acquitted, the judge is going to order it anyway.

You will want to get a certified, complete copy of your driving record. You will also want a letter from your employer verifying your employment and your need to drive to and from work. You should think about other letters you can get for court such as a letter from your pastor or rabbi, a letter showing any volunteer work or good deeds that you do, and any awards that you have received.

Finally, you will need to decide whether to file for an MVA hearing or install the ignition interlock if you blew .08 or above or refused the test. This is a conversation that you should have with your attorney. Note that there are strict time deadlines for you to act.

It is important to be proactive after a DUI. It can mean the difference between getting a break in court and facing serious consequences and ramifications.