Alternative Sentencing: MADD Victim Impact Program - California DUI Law and Legal Information

• California DUI and DMV Case
•  › Free DUI Case Evaluation
•  › What To Do First
•  › Elements of the Offense
•  › California Highway Patrol
•  › California DUI Investigation
•  › Chemical Testing
•  › BAC Calculator
•  › California DMV Hearing
•  › Misdemeanor DUI Case
•  › Criminal Jury Trial
•  › Criminal Court Punishment
•  › Alternative Sentencing
  1.    Community Service
  2.    Freeway Cleanup
  3.    Electronic Monitoring
  4.    Sober Living Environments
  5.    Alcohol & Drug Programs
  6.    AA Meetings
  7.    MADD Victim Program
  8.  » Sentencing Enhancements
  9.    Children in the Car
  10.    Speed Enhancement
  11.    Traffic Accidents
•  › Refusal Cases
•  › Felony DUI Case
•  › Medication Cases
•  › Drug Cases
•  › Federal DUI Case
•  › Out-of-State Drivers
•  › Drowsy Driving
•  › Post-Conviction Relief
•  › Ignition Interlock Devices
•  › Accident Investigation
•  › Accident Reconstruction
•  › Motorcycles, Boats, Planes
•  › California DUI Resources
•  

California drivers convicted of DUI or DWI face traditional court consequences that include possible jail sentences, fines, and driver's license suspensions. However, courts increasingly seek to help drunk drivers address their underlying alcohol or drugs issues through sentencing alternatives. One such alternative is participation in a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) Victim Impact Program.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Victim Impact Programs consist of meetings between convicted drunk drivers and individuals whose lives have been affected by Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses. Sentencing alternatives such as the MADD Victim Impact Program are designed to help, rather than punish, DUI offenders. MADD members communicate the impact drunk driving has had on their lives with the goal of educating drunk drivers of the effects of their actions on others.

Victim Impact meetings are panel discussions that typically feature three or more "Mothers Against Drunk Drivers" members telling their stories. The discussion is sometimes moderated by a police officer. If time permits, convicted drunk drivers are sometimes asked to talk about their offense.

MADD Victim Impact Program participation is usually set as a condition of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offender's probation. If the driver fails to participate in the program, probation is violated, and the driver likely will go to jail.

The Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Victim Impact Program and other forms of alternative sentencing allow many convicted drunk drivers avoid jail time and other consequences. An experienced Northern California DUI defense attorney will evaluate each case to determine whether sentencing alternatives such as the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) Victim Impact Program may be an option.