https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nFDZalYzXs0

You’ve been told to get an OASAS evaluation now what?

Judge said you had to get it in five days ? It was a rough night, a first court appearance, you were nervous…it’s all a blur.

In New York everyone charged with dwi must get an assessment from a OASAS certified provider. OASAS stands for office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. This assessment can’t be used against you however, the findings can impact a potential offer or even a potential sentence. So if the findings are that you need treatment you may be required by the court and prosecutor to do that treatment as a condition of any plea offer or sentence. If the evaluation frinds you do not need treatment it may help you negotiate the case and can reduce the amount of treatment hours you could have to do as part of any plea or sentence.

You may been told you need to get it within five days. Well there’s not really any way to monitor that and it’s almost impossible from a scheduling standpoint. I tell people that the main concern is that when they get out of jail don’t wait. Try to schedule soon because it may take a few weeks to get an appointment. Failing to do it can hold up a the resolution of your case.

I prefer to use independent evaluations rather than someone affiliated with a program because I believe, anecdotally, that you get a more neutral evaluation result. I’m happy to give you some names of independent providers. Call my office and we’ll get you a list.

212-372-7218