DUI/DWI offenders in St. Joseph are sometimes given the chance to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program as opposed to receiving other penalties for their drug or alcohol related crimes. Penalties for these kinds of criminal offenses can occasionally be rather harsh, which can include jail time and significant fines and even absorbitant costs associated with being in court for and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. More often than not, specifically for new offenders, the criminal justice system may decide that treating the concerns of drug or alcohol addiction in drug rehab is going to be more effective in the long term for full handling the issue. For DUI/DWI offenders in St. Joseph that are lucky enough to be able to participate in such treatment in lieu of other more extreme punishment, many will stay away from the criminal justice system for good.