Q: I was told upon completing driver improvement school, I now must take 12 weeks of additional counselling in FL. I pay!
I am not an alcoholic. I have never been arrested or even ticketed in 46 years of driving. The FLORIDA driving improvement school I attended is telling me that I must now continue counselling with a private counsellor, NEITHER A DOCTOR NOR A PHYSCHOLOGIST and at my own expense. I was told by this place I must submit to urine tests. They are not a lab, doctor's office or the like. They expect me to quit drinking and "get clean". I don't drink daily and this is costing me money I don't have. What will happen to my suspended driver's license if I don't attend?
A: DUI laws are set up to put everyone in a square peg, as a crude means of showing that steps were taken to keep the public safe. Until you get clearance, for early reinstatement, the State will not let you reinstate.
Jonathan Blecher agrees with this answer
A:
If you have been convicted of DUI, the state laws require completion of a substance abuse class (12 hrs. for a first offense) and treatment/counseling, if required after an evaluation. The criteria/triggers in these evaluations snares people many without legitimate drinking problems.
Some of the "triggers" are age when you started drinking, how many times you've been drunk, if you ever had an argument with a loved one while drinking. how much alcohol it takes for you to "feel buzzed", how often you drink, etc... They also ask the questions several different ways to trick you into a false answer.
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?
Follow the money. DUI is an ATM machine for the government and DUI schools.
Fortunately, Florida state law permits you to have your own independent evaluation conducted and submitted to the sentencing judge for review. If the judge agrees, after a hearing, the substances abuse counseling component can be removed.
If you have not been convicted of DUI yet (case still open), you are at the mercy of DHSMV and must do the counseling to hold on to your business permit.
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