What is a 'substance abuse evaluation' as it pertains to DUI?

What is a 'substance abuse evaluation' as it pertains to DUI?

Neil Shouse (Defense Attorney) gives expert video advice on: What are criminal punishments for DUI?; What are the civil punishments for DUI?; Does DUI punishment differ in each state? and more...

A substance abuse evaluation in a DUI context is where the court orders you to go to a doctor or counselor or a mental health expert who will evaluate you and diagnose whether you have some sort of addiction to alcohol or drugs or both. It's typically required in situations where a person is a multiple offender, has multiple DUI's or has a very high BAC. If it is determined that the person does have a substance abuse problem, the court will typically order that they go through a treatment program, either in-patient or out-patient, as a condition of their probation. That means if they don't go to the program or they don't complete the program the judge can send the person to jail.