Many people come and ask me when we sit down for the first meeting related to their DUI case whether I think it's a good idea for them to go to rehab and whether it will help them in their DUI matter.

The reality is this – the prosecutors who see people who have to go to rehab related to a DUI see those people as a threat. Somebody who drinks way too much and, therefore, has to go to recovery is not somebody they typically want out on the roads in Los Angeles.

So, if you have a horrible alcohol problem and think going to rehab will help you as a person, then obviously, rehab might be the answer for you. If you have multiple DUIs or a felony DUI – where you're looking at county time or prison time – then a lot of times, what I've been able to do is get the person into rehab instead.

The theory behind that is to tell the prosecutor to listen. If you want the person off the street for some time, live-in rehab will do that. Also, it will get to the root of their problem, which is alcohol. When it comes to using a rehab-type strategy in a DUI case in Los Angeles, you're trying to avoid jail or prison time.

So, it doesn't make any sense for those going to rehab or doing AA meetings when they have a first-time DUI. It doesn't make any sense. It probably could backfire if the prosecutors find out about it because they will think that person has an alcohol problem; they need to put more restrictions on them than the average person.

When considering rehab as a defense strategy, it's crucial to consult with your attorney. Together, you can weigh the potential benefits and risks, and decide whether this is the right approach for your DUI case.

Often, when people are facing jail time, they consider going to rehab as it relates to their DUI case. However, before you do something like that, you need to realize that whatever days you get in recovery, you're going to have to do it. It's important to understand that opting for rehab could mean a longer period of confinement compared to a jail sentence, depending on the circumstances of your case.

So, if you get 180 days in a live-in rehab, you're going to have to do the full 180 days where you can't get out of the recovery. If, on the other hand, you get 180 days in the county jail, you'll probably be out within a brief period due to the current overcrowding issues in the Los Angeles county jail. This is a factor to consider when deciding on a defense strategy for your DUI case.

Reviewing Best Strategy With DUI Lawyer

So, your best strategy is to sit down with your DUI defense attorney and let them have all the details. It's crucial that you don't lie about it. Don't add things. Don't omit things. Give them all the elements necessary for them to help you make the right decision. Once they have that information, they will assist you, give you what they think is the right way to handle it, negotiate for you, and resolve your DUI matter.