NEW JERSEY: Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Centers

General Information:

 Following conviction, all offenders must attend a state-funded Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for 2 days at 6 hours a day for education classes and a counseling session. The offender pays a surcharge for the program (1st offense = $75 per day, 2nd offense = $100 per day or $200 for a 48 hour period). These fees may be increased via regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Health after consulting with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

 Assessment of offenders is conducted as part of the IDRC program, and offenders do not return to court for final sentencing based on the assessment.

 Treatment is mandatory for all offenders. For the 2nd offense, the imprisonment term may be served in an IDRC. For 3rd and subsequent offenses, the imprisonment term may be served in an inpatient rehabilitation facility but not an IDRC (The offender may return to the IDRC for a follow-up evaluation and treatment as needed).

 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.

 New Jersey does not have dedicated detention and treatment facilities that target the hardcore drunk driver outside of the IDRC system.

 New Jersey’s unusual non-criminal approach allows the state to bring offenders to justice expeditiously and to address their rehabilitation more efficiently as well. In addition, the state programs of the IDRP are applied consistently, allowing fewer offenders to escape the "net" designed to improve their behavior. The Intoxicated Driver Program in New Jersey is 100% self-supporting from fees charged to offenders.

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.