Alternative Sentencing: Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings - California DUI Law and Legal Information

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  1.    Community Service
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California drivers convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) face numerous repercussions, including fines, possible jail time, and driver's license suspensions. However, courts have begun to acknowledge that punishing drunk drivers without addressing underlying problems with alcohol or drugs is ineffective.

Because of this shift in attitude, sentencing alternatives such as mandatory attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings have become more prevalent. A skilled California DUI defense attorney will evaluate each DUI case to determine whether the driver is likely to qualify for alternative sentencing.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting attendance is usually required as a condition of probation in DUI cases. The number of meetings a driver must attend during a certain period of time is established by the court, and attendance is recorded on a "court card" signed by the meeting secretary. If the driver doesn't attend the required number of meetings, he or she will violate probation and likely go to jail.

There are a variety of AA meetings in every community that take place on weekdays, evenings, and on weekends. To locate a meeting, look up the "Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office" in any phone directory, or log on to www.aa.org. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are funded by voluntary donations. Drunk driving offenders who wish to seek help will meet other individuals there who understand and relate to the problems they are experiencing.

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; AA are self-supporting through their own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. The primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Alcoholics Anonymous® has produced a questionnaire to help individuals determine whether they are alcoholics. Anyone who answers yes to four or more questions may have a problem with alcohol.

• Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
• Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking and stop telling you what to do?
• Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
• Have you ever had to have a drink immediately upon waking up?
• Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
• Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
• Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
• Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
• Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
• Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
• Have you ever blacked out from drinking?
• Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

Approximately 13 million Americans are believed to suffer from untreated substance abuse problems, but help is available to those who seek it. Alcoholics Anonymous has helped more than 2 million problem drinkers live sober lives.