VASAP Virginia DUI Laws - Background Information

• The Commission
• Commission Duties
• What Happens to the Offender
• Funding
• Programs

THE COMMISSION

In 1986, the General Assembly established a Commission on VASAP to formulate and maintain standards to be observed by local ASAPs and to allocate funds to programs with budget deficits.

The Commission is composed of 15 members who offer a broad range of knowledge and experience to effectively administer the ASAP system as provided in Section 18.2-271.2 Code of Virginia Commission on VASAP.

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COMMISSION DUTIES

The Commission on VASAP, through the Executive Director, is responsible for the administration of the state system and overseeing the operations of local Alcohol Safety Action Programs and for assuring local program adherence to promulgated policies and procedures through certification of local programs.

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WHAT HAPPENS TO THE OFFENDER

The offender is placed on probation by the court and given a restricted license and ordered to report to the local ASAP office within 15 days. Offenders who fail to meet the requirements of ASAP probation will be returned to court as noncompliant. The court may subject the offender to revocation action to include imposition of previously suspended fines and jail sentences.

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FUNDING

The ASAP system prides itself on being a totally offender funded system. In short, it operates without the assistance of state tax dollars. Each probationer is required to pay a minimum participation fee.

The Commission on VASAP provides the opportunity for local ASAPs to develop initiatives to be funded by grants. Grants are available following successful application by the three geographic ASAP regions. These regional grants may be used for initiatives ranging from training to public information to data processing.

To supplement its activities, the Commission applies for and receives federal highway safety grant monies for statewide use in the areas of public information, case management, law enforcement training and training for the staff of the local programs.

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PROGRAMS

In addition to education/treatment programs offered under the ASAP initiative, other services are made available through ancillary programs. Some are mandated and offered statewide while others are created based on the individual needs of the areas served by the local programs. The programs are as follows:

Habitual Offender Restoration Reviews
Driver Improvement
First Offender Drug Program
Youth Offender Program
Relapse Education
Adolescent Alcohol Education
Victim Impact Panel
Driving Suspended Program
Community Corrections Services
Ignition Interlock Program
Drug Testing/Urine Screening
Public Inebriate Program
Recless/Aggressive Driving Program

ASAP has developed methods to improve highway safety programs and to provide for an efficient and credible Alcohol Safety Action Program responsive to the needs of each locality in Virginia . In addition, VASAP trains law enforcement, provides training for the judiciary, provides training for defense and Commonwealth's Attorneys, and provides educational services to public schools, colleges and universities. ASAP is an integral part of a "systems approach" in combating the alcohol and drug-related public safety problem in Virginia .

• VASAP is a no-cost program to the state, funded by offender (user) fees and not tax dollars.
• VASAP provides a network of probationary, administrative, case management, and client services that is readily adaptable and expandable to meet other local and state needs.
• VASAP provides judges with knowledge and services which enhance their ability to dispose of DUI/DUID and other cases in a manner appropriate to community and offender needs.
• VASAP diverts thousands of offenders annually from costly incarceration in local jails, thus realizing substantial savings to the Commonwealth.
• VASAP, through its certification process, monitors and evaluates the quality and consistency of treatment and education services for local programs.
• VASAP assists localities in developing education and treatment programs, both public and private, in areas where such services are unavailable.
• VASAP works with local employee assistance programs in combating the problems of substance abuse.
• VASAP provides funds for local law enforcement training and assistance in grant funding requests.
• VASAP offers Commonwealth's Attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges a wider variety of intervention programs and strategies.