DUI arrests are on the rise in Florida particularly in more affluent areas like Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Jacksonville and Palm Beach. The courts are starting to crack down. With a few exceptions, anyone convicted of a DUI must attend a DUI school or program for a stipulated number of hours to be allowed to legally drive again. First time offenders are generally sentenced to a minimum of 12 hours, however, for felony or second time offenders the minimum can be as high as 21 hours.
The courses vary from one jurisdiction to the next. Consistently the emphasis is on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body, the number of lives lost due to DUI accidents, specific laws in their area and substance abuse education. The courses are categorized into two levels. Level 1 is for first time offenders and teaches about the basic rules for safe driving. Some schools also have a psychologist present to help with any trauma and to do a psychological evaluation to look for symptoms of substance abuse. The course can be one day or multiple days of classroom instruction and interactive education of the consequences of driving while under the influence. Level 2 is for second time offenders or those convicted of a felony DUI. These courses are a minimum of 21 hours and consist of interactive educational techniques. Some instructors will take the students to morgues or local hospitals and show them images of the reality of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Level 2 concentrates on educating the offenders of the consequences of driving under the influence and helping them to understand their substance abuse. |
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DUI Schools 
