DUI/DWI offenders in Petersburg are occasionally given the option to take part in a drug rehab center instead of consequences for their alcohol or drug related criminal offenses. The consequences for such crimes can occasionally be rather harsh, and may include being locked up in jail and substantial fines and other significant costs associated with being in the court system for and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. Many times, especially for new offenders, the criminal justice system finds that addressing the concerns of alcohol and drug abuse in drug or alcohol rehab is will prove more effective in the long term for full handling the problem. For DUI/DWI offenders in Petersburg that are fortunate enough to be permitted to participate in this rehab process in lieu of other more extreme consequences, many will stay away from the court system permanently.