Drug and Alcohol DUI Evaluations for Court
In Illinois, anyone arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs (DUI) must undergo an alcohol and drug evaluation before a judicial driving permit (J.D.P.) can be granted by the Court, sentencing can occur for the DUI offense, or restricted or full driving privileges can be granted by the Office of the Secretary of State.
The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the extent of the defendant's alcohol and/drug use and its associated risk to current or future public safety. The following areas are reviewed: the defendant's driving history, chemical test results (B.A.C.), Objective Test score and category, and the interview with an evaluator.
The focus of the interview is past and current alcohol and drug use, specifically as it relates to driving history. Defendant responses are checked against the driving record, the Objective Test score, the results of the chemical testing, and possibly other corroborative sources. Inconsistencies must be reconciled between the defendant and the evaluator. If not, the evaluation will have no validity and could result in the following consequences:
- Denial of driving privileges by either the Court or the Office of the Secretary of State.
- A request by the Court or the Office of the Secretary of State to undergo another evaluation at the defendant's expense.
- Delay of sentencing for the DUI or a delay in consideration for judicial driving privileges by the Court or restricted or full driving privileges by the Office of the Secretary of State.
When the evaluation is completed, a classification and a recommendation will be determined by the evaluator and recorded on the Alcohol and Drug Uniform Report form for the Court or the Office of the Secretary of State. This form will then be sent to the Court or given to the defendant to take to the Office of the Secretary of State for the driver's license hearing.
The classification will be one of the following:
- Minimal Risk
- Moderate Risk
- Significant Risk
- High Risk
DUI|DWI Process
The professionals at Life Changers, Inc. are experts in completing alcohol and drug evaluations (Uniform Report) and treatment services. We will be able to provide clearly written, professional documents for your upcoming hearing.
To properly complete an evaluation, we will need the following:
- A current driver's abstract
- The Statutory Summary Suspension(s) and/or Law Enforcement Sworn Report
- A brief interview (in person or on the phone) with a family member or friend to verify the information you provide and to answer any questions or concerns
- An alcohol and drug test to determine if you have been properly classified (typically the Adult Substance Use and Driving Survey test, commonly referred to as the ASUDS-RI test)
- Information regarding your alcohol and/or drug use history
- Treatment documents (if previously completed)
- A copy of denial order(s), if you have been previously denied driving relief from the Secretary of State
The evaluation process typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours. If you have been previously denied at a hearing, we will need more time to adequately address any of the hearing officer's concerns. Please note that if you have been denied at a hearing, the hearing officer will note the reasons in the denial order. We will need a copy of that to properly address those concerns. If you were unable to relate information about your treatment experience to the hearing officer, you may be required to complete more classes.
If your license is revoked, you will need to demonstrate you have learned the necessary lessons from treatment and made positive lifestyle changes that will significantly reduce the chance of another driving under the influence (DUI) arrest.