Getting a substance abuse or mental health assessment for the court isn't a thing many individuals have prior experience with. Thus, in case you need an evaluation for court, it can be very hard to determine what service to use. Several centers offer DUI assessment services. Even though they all claim to be the best, you ought to do due diligence when choosing one. If you are mistaken in selecting a DUI assessment provider, you could pay more than necessary or get a certificate that will not be recognized by the court.
First, check the credentials and experience of the assessor. While state licenses and professional credentials are vital, it is equally essential that the assessor has substantial experience offering DUI assessment. First, check the assessor's credentials but more crucial, inquire from the assessor about the number of assessments they carry out every month. Let your gut intuition guide you when they respond to this query. In case the response isn't clear and comes with hesitation, you could be engaging an inexperienced assessor or a person who'll accept your case just because they need work. It is beneficial to work with an experienced evaluator because they're often most discerning and function ethically hence not over-treating or over diagnosing you. You can tell how reputable a DUI assessment provider is by asking for professional references, looking at the BBB ratings and reviews, and from the state licensing board.
Does this DUI assessment provider fill out a preformatted assessment form or write a distinctive report that applies particularly to your situation? If the provider is just filing a checklist form, the court could look at your evaluation as unprofessional and presume that it was completed rapidly for the sake of having the results. Prosecutors and judges read these accounts all the time and can easily identify people who're merely jumping through the hoops in order to get through the system. This approach can backfire on you. You need a professional substance abuse assessment that is also presented professionally, that is, something that states by content and appearance that you were professionally evaluated.
Will you have an opportunity to see your report before it is taken to the court? DUI examination reports are private healthcare files and as such are shielded by federal law. Similarly to the way you wouldn't release info from your health practitioner to a third party, you ought not to choose a provider who'll release your DUI assessment without you agreeing. You should have a complete awareness of the info being shared. This is more important as there's always the probability of human fault in the discussion or writing of your report. You don't want faults in a report that will be used by the judge or prosecutor to make decisions that will affect your future. Ensure the DUI assessment provider you're about to choose will let you review the report keenly before it's released to your employer, the court, or any other authority. This will help you to speak up, pose questions, and try to resolve any issues you don't agree with before your report is forwarded.