DUI/DWI offenders in San Fernando are occasionally given the chance to participate in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in lieu of punishment for their drug or alcohol related offenses. The punishment for such offenses can occasionally be rather severe, and may include jail time and serious fines and even significant costs associated with being in the court system for and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. Frequently, especially for new offenders, the court may decide that treating the problems of alcohol and drug addiction in drug or alcohol rehab is will prove more effective in the long term for full handling the problem. For DUI/DWI offenders in San Fernando that are lucky enough to be allowed to participate in such treatment in lieu of other far more extreme penalties, many will remain away from the criminal justice system permanently.