Is Level I education a class carpenters take to learn how to make sure boards on a horizontal surface are even? No. Is it a class for surveyors? Again, no. Level I Education refers to the classes offered by the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health for those drivers convicted of driving under the influence.
The OBH says about 25,000 DUI offenders take the Level I and Level II classes annually.
So what is Level I education? It’s a 12-hour series of classes held over at least three days. (Note: you can’t attend more than four hours per day.) The classes are typically held for a group of first-time DUI offenders — not including those who had a high blood alcohol content (0.15 percent or above) or who refused to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test.
Those who have had more than one DUI (also known as DWI), had a high BAC (0.15 percent or above) or who refused a roadside test will be compelled to go to Level II education. This consists of 24 hours of classes over a 12-week period. In some cases, those who go through Level II education must afterwards attend Level II therapy.
Level II therapy lasts anywhere from five months to 10 months, depending on which “track” to which a person is assigned. Track assignment depends on how many DUI offenses a person has, whether they refused a BAC test, etc.
The therapy sessions can range from 42 hours over 21 weeks to 68 hours over 34 weeks.
Again, the therapy and classes are just part of the punishments for being convicted of drunken driving. If you hope to minimize those punishments, or want to fight DUI allegations in court, discuss your legal options with an attorney experienced in DUI defense.