MARYLAND: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Directory

General Information:

 Following conviction, alcohol assessment/education may be required as a condition of probation. Repeat offenders are required to undergo alcohol assessment and treatment if recommended. Any offender may be required to attend a driver improvement or an alcohol education program as a condition of probation.

 Alcohol assessments are conducted post-trial but pre-sentencing. The court takes the results of the assessment into consideration in final sentencing.

 Alcohol assessments are conducted by a private agency at the behest of the defense attorney, by a court-employed specialist, a state administrative agency, or by a private agency at the direction of the court.

 Treatment for repeat offenders is mandatory if recommended by the alcohol assessment.

 Offenders failing to comply with the terms of their program are not eligible for license reinstatement and may be returned to the court for further action.

 Maryland does have dedicated detention and treatment facilities that target the hardcore drunk driver. Opened in 1984, the Baltimore County DWI Correctional Treatment Facility consists of a 28-day residential treatment program with 24-hour supervision and security, followed by a one-year aftercare program. All residents undergo an intensive drug and alcohol abuse assessment during the first 48 hours. An individual treatment plan is developed for the remainder of the resident’s stay and continues during the following year. This 100-bed minimum-security facility, the largest facility in the United States when it opened, operates on funds from residents and grants. Located in Owings Mills, the Baltimore County facility operates under a public-private partnership. Right Turn of Maryland, a for-profit organization, operates the facility under contractual agreement. Statistics supplied by the county showed that the facility has had a substantial impact on reducing recidivism. One year after the first 213 people completed the 28-day program, only 9 had been arrested again in Baltimore County, a 4% recidivism rate, compared to the normal 35% rate for drunk drivers. Among the 152 people who completed the program 18 months ago, only 6 offenders (4%) were rearrested.

BEWARE: Completing an alcohol program may not satisfy the DMV. That is just one reason why it is critical that you consult with a lawyer in your area that concentrates on DUI / DWI defense.

Drunk driving defense is a very specialized area of law; if you or someone you care about has is facing a DUI charge, it is important to speak to a lawyer who is skilled in defending drunk driving cases.