Step 1
MY ARREST... NOW WHAT?
Well you can't change the past, so now you better plan for the future...There will be some things you will need to do, like gather all your documents in a safe place, get your calendar marked with important dates like court hearings and the 10-day deadline for requesting your administrative DOT hearing. You may want to consult with an attorney about your situation. Most attorneys will offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.
Step 2
MY COURT DATE
You have a couple of important hearings coming up quickly.... your initial appearance and your arraignment. Your initial appearance will generally be within 10 days of your arrest unless you have already seen the judge and your arraignment will typically be within 30-45 days. Many counties, including Polk, will require you to complete a substance abuse evaluation prior to your arraignment, and if not then, at sentencing. Don't miss this step. If you do, it could land you in hot water with the judge, or worse...in jail. Court is a formal place and it commands respect, so keep that in mind when you decide what to wear and how to present yourself.
Step 3
MY SUBSTANCE ABUSE EVALUATION
This is where we come in... We provide prompt and professional substance abuse evaluations for OWI offenses and other drug/alcohol related charges. You can even book your appointment online. Our staff is one of the best around, masters trained and licensed with over 15 of years experience in the field, ensuring your time at our office is pleasant, productive and helpful to you. Our office is clean, professional and comfortable. A competent provider will get specific and thorough information regarding your alcohol and drug use, offer help if needed, and promptly report the recommendations to the court with your written permission. You are not mandated to sign a consent to release information, but not doing so will land the responsibility of getting your paperwork filed directly on you. We will respect your privacy, not engage in arguing, make you feel guilty or be rude. That being said, be honest...cause after this many years, we know when you're not...level of offense, prior arrests, past problems, lay it all out there. Finally, make sure to make it to your appointment as scheduled in order to avoid a cancellation/no-show fee. Appointments are a valuable resource to both our clients and our providers.
Check out what we offer to book your evaluation online.
Step 4
MY RECOMMENDATIONS
So why is it important to follow the recommendations given at the close of your appointment? Well, Iowa law and the DOT require you to, that is if you want to get your driver's license reinstated and not violate your sentencing order. If treatment is recommended, we will work with you to coordinate your referral before you leave our office. You are always free to choose where you receive your treatment and the Des Moines metro has some great options whether you have insurance or not. Depending on the program, evaluations are usually considered valid for 30 days after they have been completed so if you wait around to get your treatment started, plan on spending more money and time getting an updated evaluation. Follow your recommendations and start your treatment right away. If you disagree with your evaluation results, you may want to discuss your concerns with your provider and your attorney.
Check out what we offer for more info.