DUI Diversion And Treatment

Intro: A DUI conviction is an embarrassment and a potential threat to your future on many levels. If you’re a first-time DUI offender, you may be wondering if you qualify for DUI diversion and what that would entail. The following questions and answers will explain what you should know about the DUI diversion process:

How Does Completing DUI Diversion Affect Your Criminal Record In Johnson County?

DUI diversion programs in Johnson County, Kansas, are offered by prosecutors to first-time offenders as a means to prevent a DUI conviction from appearing on their criminal record. If you complete the program, your charges are usually dismissed. That’s good news for future background checks related to employment, housing and professional licenses.

While a completed DUI diversion program results in dismissal of your charges and keeps a conviction off your record, it’s worth noting that your DUI arrest will remain a part of your record. That might not be an ideal outcome, but your DUI diversion program will demonstrate your willingness and commitment to take responsibility for your actions and comply with court-ordered requirements.

What Are The Treatment Requirements For DUI Diversion In Johnson County, KS?

Before you can participate in a DUI diversion program, you must undergo a complete drug and alcohol evaluation by a state-licensed mental health professional who specializes in substance abuse assessment and treatment.

Based on their recommendations, you may be required to complete educational programs, substance abuse treatment programs, probation, or counseling or therapy sessions.

The specific requirements you’d be required to fulfill depend on the results of the evaluation, and all conditions of your treatment must be completed within the timeframe established by the diversion agreement made between you and the prosecutor.

Can You Enter A Diversion Program For A Second DUI Offense In Johnson County?

You cannot enter a diversion program for a second DUI in Johnson County. Diversion programs are intended to rehabilitate rather than punish you. For that reason, courts usually reserve diversion programs for those who would best benefit from them: first-time DUI offenders and those without a serious prior criminal history in Kansas.

Not only will a second DUI offense within ten years disqualify you from diversion eligibility, but you should also expect significantly greater penalties. For a second DUI, you will face increased fines and longer jail sentences, community service, driver’s license suspension and treatment.

What Happens If You Fail To Complete Your DUI Diversion Program In Johnson County?

Failure to complete the DUI program in the time or manner you agreed upon with the prosecutor will result in the diversion agreement being terminated at a court hearing. With the agreement terminated, you now face initiation and prosecution of the original DUI charges.

Because you were required to plead guilty as a prerequisite to enter the diversion program in the first place, your failure to complete the program means you will now be sentenced according to state law, which could entail the full legal penalties of a DUI conviction, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time.

Call to Action (CTA):

If you’re a first-time DUI offender and wondering if you are eligible for DUI diversion and what that will look like, Paul D. Cramm is ready to help you understand your options.

If you want to learn more about DUI diversion, call us at (913) 322-3265 or schedule an initial consultation via our client contact page.