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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AES recognizes the time, commitment, and self-sacrifice the counseling community endures. The AES network is designed to connect our licensed community with those individuals, families, and organizations that desperately need their services.

Ignition Interlock

Everyone has different facts and may or may not be eligible for the interlock. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check with MVD. During the 90 days restricted or suspension period you can get the interlock and have it apply towards your interlock requirement if you are convicted of DUI.

YES, by installing and applying for the SIIRDL you waive your right to a hearing or summary review of the admin per se so CHECK WITH YOUR ATTORNEY. This is only for people who have the DUI on or after 01/01/2023.

Tampering with the device remove disable or otherwise. Circumventing the device (start the car without blowing into the unit). Blowing a positive BAC above the prescribed amount (0.08). Missing a rolling retest.

You can find the form here online: https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/ignition-interlock/special-restricted-driver-license-siirdl or ask your counselor to upload one for you.

Required Screening

Most individuals charged with a DUI are required to participate in a Screening by an approved provider and report this to MVD and the court.

This requirement is pursuant to ARS § 28-1385 and Title 9 Health Services R9-20-108.

AES is an approved provider for conducting DUI screenings.

Yes, AES must adhere to the laws and regulations mandated for the screening to be accepted by both the courts and the department of transportation.

Yes, pursuant to R9-20-108(C), the Screening must be conducted within 30 days after receiving the court order.

Your requirement is determined based on an interview. You might be assessed to complete Level II (16 hours of education) or Level I (up to 56 hours of treatment).

You may be required to undergo Level I treatment if:

  • You have a prior DUI or any alcohol-related police contact.

  • You had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or greater at the time of arrest.

  • You exhibit any other indicators as outlined in the given guidelines.

The assessment interview is conducted face-to-face by a behavioral health technician, counselor, LISAC, LPC, or another approved person.

Yes, a diagnostic tool is administered during the interview. The results of this tool help determine the appropriate level of treatment, as mandated by R9-20-108(D).

A Level I DUI client meets at least one of the following criteria:

  • Has been arrested or convicted two or more times for alcohol or drug-related offenses.

  • Had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher at the time of the current referral arrest and meets at least one criteria in subsections (D)(1)(b)(ii) through (xii).

  • Struggles with controlling alcohol or drug use or habitually abuses them.

  • Admits having an issue controlling alcohol or drug use.

  • Has a diagnosis of substance abuse or an organic brain disease resulting from substance abuse.

  • Experienced withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or drugs, including hallucinations, seizures, or diagnosed with alcohol-induced diseases.

  • And, meets at least three of these criteria:

    • Had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher at the time of the current referral arrest.

    • Previously arrested or convicted once for an alcohol or drug offense.

    • Decreased work or school productivity due to alcohol or drug use.

    • Faced social, family, or peer issues related to substance use.

    • Indicated substance abuse during the DUI screening.

    • Previously participated in substance abuse education or treatment.

    • Experienced blackouts or passed out due to substance use.

    • Exhibited withdrawal symptoms.

    • Psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol.

    • Notable increase in consumption, changed tolerance, altered use pattern, or personality changes due to substance use.

If it's your first offense with a BAC less than 0.15 and you don't exhibit the indicators mentioned above, you'll be required to undergo 16 hours of alcohol education.

Once the process starts, it's imperative to complete the program consistently without any breaks or prolonged intervals between screening and the mandated programs.

DUI education comprises a minimum of 16 hours, either in a classroom setting or through electronic modules equivalent in content. The education must be concluded within eight weeks from the start date of the first class.

Unless there's an extension, a client needs to complete their treatment in a time frame of no less than three months and no more than 12 months after beginning the treatment.

Admin Per Se and DUI Arrest Procedures

The Admin Per Se is the pink and yellow paper that the officer gives you during a DUI arrest. This paper effectively becomes your temporary driver's license.

You have 30 days from the date of receiving the Admin Per Se before your driving privileges are suspended or restricted for the next 90 days.

To be eligible for the 60-day restricted license, you must complete a substance abuse screening, such as the one offered by AES.

Once your substance abuse screening is completed, the results will be uploaded to the ADOT portal system and the court.

The ADOT portal system requires accurate information regarding:

  • Date of violation

  • Date of birth

  • Driver License number or AZ Identification number

  • Date the screening was completed

If ADOT rejects the data due to inaccuracies in dates or other details, AES will inform you about the issue.

In case of a rejection, you should get in touch with MVD to find out which information in their records is inaccurate. Once that's sorted, your screening results can then be uploaded to the ADOT system.

Ensuring the correct information is crucial because it's a requisite to qualify for the 60-day restricted permit, allowing you to drive during the following 60 days after your initial 30 days with the Admin Per Se.

What to expect from the Theft diversion program

The courts recognize that some people may benefit from education and support to help them understand the broader negative impacts of theft on themselves, their family, and the community.

When someone steals, they might experience a rush of adrenaline. Over time, this rush can become addictive, similar to how some people get addicted to the highs from drugs.

Stealing can lead to intrusive thoughts, a clouded judgment about one's self-worth, and a skewed perception of one's position in the community. Over time, a person might start distrusting others, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

When a person steals, they might indirectly convey to themselves that they aren't as valuable or deserving as those who can buy the things they steal. This can harm their self-esteem and self-worth.

Theft can strain familial relationships, as the act might breed distrust within the family. Additionally, if someone is caught and enters the criminal justice system, their family might need to expend resources on legal proceedings, diverting time and money away from other priorities.

AES stands for Anti-Theft Education and Support. It's a program designed to help individuals understand the underlying reasons for their stealing behaviors. AES aims to teach participants how to develop new, constructive habits, thus breaking the cycle of destructive behaviors and leading them towards a better, happier life.

If the court has allowed you a diversion program your conviction may be removed after your successful completion of the AES program. If the court has required you to participate in the program as a term of your sentence it can reduce or eliminate jail time.

Yes, the AES program is designed not only for those who have acted on their urges but also for those who want to prevent these actions and understand their underlying feelings.

Domestic Violence and Anger Management Classes

In Arizona, domestic violence is defined based on the relationship between the victim and the defendant. It covers a wide range of relationships such as marriage, former marriage, co-residents, blood relations, in-laws, and even previous romantic or sexual relationships.

No, they are two distinct forms of intervention. Domestic violence classes focus on addressing abusive behaviors within intimate relationships, while anger management classes deal with anger as a general emotion.

Accountability, we are responsible for our own actions. Understanding the root causes of your triggers and issues. Self-Reflection, Improving Communication skills. Cognitive restructuring. Breaking bad habits and developing new strategies.

The primary goal is to help individuals recognize and take responsibility for their actions, develop empathy for the victims, and learn new ways of resolving conflicts and dealing with life’s stresses.

Yes, in some cases, the court may mandate individuals to attend these classes as part of their probation or parole conditions.

They typically include identifying anger triggers, learning relaxation techniques, developing effective communication skills, and understanding the consequences of uncontrolled anger.

The primary goal is to teach individuals how to respond to anger in a constructive manner and develop new skills for resolving conflicts without aggression as well as overcome old habits and traumas.

Yes, courts often require classes in place of jail or fines.

The court may order anger management in cases where the parties are not related as defined by Arizona's domestic violence criteria, and do not involve physical injury, choking, confinement, or other aggravating factors as determined by the court and state prosecutor.

Yes. Domestic violence classes are often in group settings to share experiences and hold each other accountable. Groups help share examples of behavior and alternatives for a support system. Anger management classes can also be offered in group settings, providing a supportive environment for learning.

What to Expect from AES

The primary objective of AES's program is to address the root causes of violent behavior, promote accountability, and facilitate change among individuals who because of past traumas, family disfunction or cultural experiences have been arrested and ordered to participate in a domestic violence program.

Counseling encourages perpetrators to recognize and take responsibility for their actions. By understanding and acknowledging the harm they've caused, individuals can initiate the process of accountability and learn new ways to see and deal with the stresses in life.

Some root causes include anger management issues, unresolved trauma, substance abuse, and childhood experiences of abuse.

AES's counseling programs emphasize self-awareness and self-reflection, allowing individuals to understand their triggers, behavior patterns, and underlying reasons for violence.

Yes, participants are taught healthier ways to manage anger and address conflicts without resorting to violence.

Absolutely. AES focuses on equipping individuals with effective communication skills, emphasizing the importance of avoiding intimidation, manipulation, or aggression.

We guide individuals to recognize the pain and suffering they've inflicted on their loved ones by recognizing different types of abuse and why we resort to them. AES teaches that understanding deep emotional wounds can act as a strong motivator for change.

It involves the use of cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge and rectify distorted thought patterns that may justify or support violent behavior. By addressing these patterns, belief systems that support violence can be altered and a new healthier way of life begins.

Our program aims to break the ongoing cycle of abuse by making individuals aware of these old habits and patterns. AES offers the tools and support to choose a different, non-violent path to break the chain of abuse and promote healthy family communication.

Yes, counselors help individuals identify and develop coping strategies for managing stress, frustration, and other triggers that could lead to violent actions. By understanding that you have the power and duty to control their behaviors and live a more balanced and happier life.

Our main goal is to break the cycle of dysfunction. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, tools, and support needed, we aim to prevent them from resorting to violence in the future.

AES offers counseling services STATE WIDE Serving Phoenix Metro, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale, Peoria, Tempe, Surprise, Buckeye, Goodyear, Yuma, Avondale, Queen Creek, Flagstaff, Maricopa, Casa Grande, Lake Havasu City, Marana, Prescott Valley, Oro Valley, Prescott, Seria Vista, Bullhead City, Apache Junction, San Luis, Sahuarita, El Mirage, Kingman, Florence, Fountain Hills, Nogales, Coolidge, Payson, Douglas, Eloy, Somerton, Chino Valley, Cottonwood, Paradise Valley, Camp Verde, Show Low, Safford, Sedona, Winslow, Wickenburg, Tolleson, Page, Globe, Litchfield Park, Youngtown, Snowflake, Thatcher, Benson, Guadalupe, Cave Creek, Clarkdale, Bisbee, Holbrook.

If you need court counseling in Arizona, we have you covered.

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