In addition to license suspension, financial penalties, community service, jail, and ignition interlock, New Jersey’s DWI statute requires Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (“IDRC”) attendance. Established within the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services, the Intoxicated Driving Program oversees and supervises Intoxicated Driver Resource Centers statewide. Coupled with other functions, each IDRC runs educational programs about alcohol, drugs, and highway safety. Indeed, each county must establish an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center on a county or regional basis, in cooperation with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Additionally, each Intoxicated Driver Resource Center administrator must be a counselor certified by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification Board of New Jersey, or other professional with a minimum of five years experience in the treatment of alcoholism.
Additional IDRC Functions
Besides monitoring the compliance of DWI offenders for the court, each Intoxicated Driver Resrouce Center also serves as a community treatment referral center. Consequently, each IDRC develops individualized treatment plans lasting up to one year. Additionally, each IDRC must establish networks with the community’s alcohol and drug education, treatment, and rehabilitation resources. Furthermore, Referral agencies must submit monthly reports to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center about each individual’s participation and compliance with after-care.1
Detainment
The DWI statute subjects a first offender to a period of Intoxicated Driver Resource Center detainment of not less than 12 nor more than 48 hours during two consecutive days of not less than six hours each day.2 Additionally, second DWI offender must submit to a period of IDRC confinement of at least 48 hours.3. Furthermore, third and subsequent DWI offenders must submit to 12 hours IDRC for evaluation, referral to treatment, and self-help group participation.4
IDRC Referral For Treatment
An Intoxicated Driver Program Questionnaire enables the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center to screen participants for treatment referrals. Indeed, the screening process identifies IDRC clients who may be alcohol or drug abusers or who need a structured intervention into their alcohol or drug use. Thus, the referral options include no treatment, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and self help groups. Offenders obviously the prefer no treatment. Consequently, a recommendation of no treatment requires proper planning and legal guidance.
New Jersey DWI Attorney Michael Smolensky, Esquire, knows how to protect his clients. Indeed, a charge of Driving While Intoxicated calls for an aggressive defense, and Mr. Smolensky can provide consultations for all DWI/DUI cases. Call Now—(856) 812-0321.
Footnotes
1 N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(f).
2 N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a)(1).
3 N.J.A.C. 10:162-3.4(a).
4 N.J.A.C. 10:162-3.7.