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If you have been convicted of driving under the influence in New Jersey, state law mandates that you enroll in an Intoxicated Driving Resource Center (IDRC) program. This program evaluates DUI offenders for drug and/or alcohol problems, and assigns treatments based on level of offense and prior record. According to New Jersey DUI attorneys, the state currently operates separate centers in each county, several for first and third-time drunk drivers, and three centers throughout the state for second-time offenders.
All those enrolled in the IDRC program must attend mandatory Alcohol and Highway Safety Education courses before returning to the road. The program is designed to prevent DUI offenders from spending time in jail, especially those with no prior record. Although license suspension is a consequence of a DUI charge, those who participate fully in the program can use their attendance to expedite the license restoration process.
New Jersey DUI attorneys say that most first-time offenders are sentenced to a 12-hour program completed in two 6-hour days, but the IDRC offers 48-hour programs as well. DUI offenders must attend a series of lectures and discussions about safe driving and road etiquette, and meet with an IDRC counselor to determine what, if any, further treatment is needed. The IDRC also imposes fines on drunk drivers that increase between the first, second, and third offense, as well as a license restoration fee of $100 that applies to all offenders.
New Jersey residents charged with a DUI must complete the IDRC program—if you fail to complete the hours assigned to you, your license is suspended until you complete the program, and you may have to spend two days in jail, NJ drunk driving lawyers warn. If your counseling indicates that you need further treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, you must complete that counseling as well before you can apply to have your license restored.
The IDRC program is necessary for DUI offenders who want to restore their licenses after a drunk-driving-related suspension, and the program’s educational content can help change drunk driving behavior by reinforcing the rules of the road. The experienced New Jersey DUI attorneys at Helmer, Conley, and Kasselman can help you if you have been convicted of drunk driving.
