DUI/DWI offenders in Westerville are sometimes given the chance to participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program instead of penalties for their alcohol or drug related crimes. Penalties for these kinds of offenses can often be quite serious, and may include incarceration and substantial fines and other significant costs to pay for being prosecuted and/or found guilty of DUI/DWI. Often, particularly for new offenders, the judge may decide that addressing the problems of alcohol and drug abuse in treatment is a better decision in the long run for full handling the problem. For DUI/DWI offenders in Westerville that are lucky enough to be permitted to take part in such treatment in lieu of other far more extreme penalties, a great number will stay away from the criminal justice system permanently.