When my wife was charged with DUI, the judge considered some extenuating circumstances when it came to her punishment.  He understood that she was going through emotional times because her father had just passed away, but he also realized that he could not let her off with just a slap on the wrist either. Instead, he ordered that she take 24 Hour Level 3 Alcohol Awareness Classes. He allowed her to take them online so she wouldn't have to miss any work.  His goal was to teach her about the risk factors of alcohol and drug abuse, the cost of addiction, the health risks of alcohol, the risk factors specific to women, and most importantly skills in stress management. She is not an alcoholic; she simply turned to alcohol to drown out constant grief since we also lost our home to a tornado this past year. This is exactly what we both needed. She realized alcohol was not the answer, and I got my wife back.

My girlfriend has had a bit of a drinking problem for most of her life. She says that it is just something she likes to do and that it is not an addiction, but I beg to differ. While under the influence of aclohol she managed to slam her truck into four parked cars. As a result she was sentenced to perform some community service, pay some fines and attend a 16 hour level 2 alcohol awareness class. She balked at the sentence, but I told her that she is very lucky that the judge did not decide that she would be better off spending some time in the county jail. So far she has completed most of the community service and she has paid a little more than half of the fines. She has yet to start the alcohol classes because she says she is having a hard time finding one in the area that does not conflict with her work schedule.  I told her about online classes and she is going to get the judge's approval so she can get this behind her.  

I had to take a 12 Hour Alcohol Awareness Class that was ordered by the judge. It is a small price to pay actually. I am ashamed at what I had become over the years. I was drunk behind the wheel when I got caught. I somehow had pulled over and was passed out at the wheel on the side of the highway. I really don't have any recollection of even getting into the car and driving after the party I was attending at the local bar I always went to. You know, just thinking about it again right now gives me the chills. I could have killed myself or someone else. I quit drinking the next day when I woke up in jail, and am proud to say I've been sober ever since.  This is the last step of my payment for the crime. The judge agreed to let me take the alcohol class online so I wouldn't have to miss any more work.  If I stay off the booze for 3 more years I will have my record expunged as a first time offender.

College students are at high-risk for getting in trouble for drinking, or even being injured because of a drunk driver in their midst. They may make mistakes and decide to drive after they have had too much to drink, and there can be physical, legal and financial ramifications. College students feel like they are out on their own for the first time, and they often take the lack of boundaries and new found freedom to the extreme. Scientists have proven that are brains do not stop developing until our early 20's, so some still lack rational decision-making abilities and feel like bad things will not happen to them. If you are a parent of a college student, then you should try to convince your child to take an 8 Hour Alcohol Awareness Class. They can often take them on campus or more conveniently online from their own web-based computers.  Quality online alcohol and drug education classes are easily available online at a low-cost.  These courses teach about all the risks and repercussions of substance abuse and are a proactive way to keep your young adults on a safe, healthy path in life.  Give your child the gift of knowledge as a preventative measure in 2013!

If you are a minor found to be in possession of alcohol, then you are surely in for troubled times. While you might be completely miserable at the moment,  there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be able to regain control of your life once again. Part of your legal punishment will be to take court mandated alcohol education classes to learn about the risks and repercussions of alcohol use. Online minor in possession classes cover all the material you need to fulfill the court order.  Just check with your judge to make sure that he will accept an online class instead of a traditional in-person class. Parents will be thrilled because they won't have to miss more work to drive you to a class across town, and you can take them whenever you have free time after school. It is not fun to get caught with alcohol when you are a minor, but remember that this too shall pass and taking an online class will educate you on how to change your life for the better by just saying no!