It only takes one wrong decision to get your first DUI. You might have thought you were okay to drive, or that the distance between you and your destination was short enough that it didn’t matter. Either way, receiving your first DUI can be the wake-up call you need to make important changes in your life.
In the state of Kentucky, driving under the influence (DUI) arrests made up nearly 6% of all arrests in the year 2021. If you or a loved one have recently been arrested for a DUI for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions. You may have heard about state-mandated classes, and be wondering if you have to take DUI classes after your first offense.
At Altruism Counseling, we are proud to provide our clients with some of the lowest-priced DUI classes in the state. We also offer many additional alcoholism treatment needs you have following your first DUI, so you can get back in control of your life.
Driving under the influence is a serious offense that can endanger not only your life but the lives of those around you. The penalties in place are intended to act as a deterrent, discouraging drivers from driving when they are above the legal limit.
In the state of Kentucky, there are a few legal penalties that apply to your first DUI offense. Typically, your first DUI is considered a misdemeanor, which is less severe than a felony offense. However, this can change depending on a few factors, including the extent of any bodily harm or property damage that you caused while driving under the influence.
Your driving record is used for things like determining auto insurance rates, and your eligibility to rent a car, and sometimes shows up as part of a background check. A DUI will stay on your driving record for 10 years.
However, it’ll stay on your criminal record permanently unless you get the charge expunged, which is a process you can begin 10 years after your arrest. The fact that a DUI stays on your criminal record means that the charge will continue to show up on most background checks, which can impact housing and work opportunities, as well as potentially lead to more severe consequences for future criminal offenses.
The state of Kentucky has very specific consequences for a first DUI offense. Your first DUI will result in 48 hours up to 30 days in jail, however, you may apply for community service in place of jail time. You’ll have to pay a fine between $200 and $500. Additionally, your license will be suspended for six months. You may be able to get exceptions to the suspension, such as certain times you are allowed to drive to get to work or receive medical treatment. The six-month suspension for a DUI is static, and cannot be reduced unless you apply for a special program.
You’ll also be required to attend up to 90 days of drug or alcohol use treatment or an education program for a first offense.
These penalties may increase if there are “aggravating circumstances” surrounding your arrest. These circumstances could include:
After any DUI you must meet with a certified DUI assessor. Your assessment, which typically does not last more than an hour, will allow the assessor to determine if 20 hours of DUI education classes, up to 90 days of alcohol and substance use treatment, or maybe even a combination of both is right for you. If you receive subsequent DUIs in the same 10-year period, the number of days required for treatment will go up.
Although the assessment is mandatory, it is designed to help you learn about yourself and your relationship with alcohol and substances. Not everyone who drives under the influence one time is living with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD), but it could be a sign of something bigger. An assessment will give you a better idea of what led you to where you are now.
After the assessment, you'll have a clear understanding of which educational path suits you best. Classes typically start every five to six weeks, so there may be a short wait before you can get into classes depending on where you fall in the class calendar. If it turns out you need treatment for AUD or SUD, you can get started on that immediately.
Your assessment and following treatment must be conducted by a certified DUI program provider and licensed Alcohol and Drug Entity (AODE) in person. You may find DUI education classes online, however, online classes are not accepted in the state of Kentucky.
During your DUI class, you will receive 20 hours of psychoeducation to teach you about how alcohol and substance use disorders develop and what you can do to prevent them. Additional information will be provided on making informed decisions about consuming alcohol and other substances will also be provided.
You’ll also need to complete a workbook. The workbook will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the material. To pass the class, the DUI instructor must certify to the courts that you have completed the course requirements.
The approved, in-person classes for DUIs in Kentucky are called “Prime for Life (PRI)” classes.
A certified DUI instructor will guide you through media-rich presentations about prevention. These presentations are based on information from over 1,800 research studies that were conducted over 75 years.
PRI classes are broken up into three different units.
These classes typically take place on Friday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons for two weeks, followed by an additional Friday evening session.
While the classes are a mandatory part of getting your license back for many people with a DUI, they’re intended to be motivational and give you a real opportunity to evaluate where you are in your relationship with alcohol and other substances. You’ll also be encouraged to consider what steps you might be able to make to create real change in your life.
For your first DUI, the state will revoke your license for six months. Completing your DUI classes will not automatically speed up that process. If you do not complete your DUI classes, you’ll have to attend an additional hearing and may be found in contempt of court. This could lead to a further suspension of your license, additional fines, or even jail time.
You can reduce your license suspension to as little as four months by electing to participate in the Kentucky interlock ignition program (KIIP). In this program, you must have interlock ignition installed in your vehicle, which requires you to pass a breathalyzer and use facial recognition software to start your car and obtain a special license. After your first DUI, you can apply for KIIP only after you have completed your education or treatment program, and have gone 90 days without driving under the influence.
If you have gotten your first DUI recently, you are probably under a lot of stress. It is okay if you feel embarrassed about your actions, or frustrated with the restrictions that you are now facing. We understand that no one ever plans to get a DUI and that you don’t want this one event to define you for the rest of your life.
DUI classes are one of the first steps you can take to reclaim your license and your life after a DUI.
At Altruism Counseling Services, we know different people need different tools to stop participating in alcohol use. That’s why we provide medication-assisted treatment options for clients who need it. Please call us today at 859-310-6505, or connect via our contact page.
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