DUI/DWI offenders in Columbia Heights are sometimes given the chance to participate in an alcohol and drug rehab facility instead of penalties for their alcohol or drug related offenses. Penalties for these types of crimes can ordinarily be rather extreme, including incarceration and substantial fines and even significant costs associated with being prosecuted and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. Frequently, especially for new offenders, the court finds that treating the problems of drug or alcohol abuse in drug rehab is going to be more effective in the long run for full handling the issue. For DUI/DWI offenders in Columbia Heights that are fortunate enough to be allowed to take part in such treatment in lieu of other far more extreme penalties, many will remain out of the court system permanently.