For many people who are charged with drunk driving, they may be given the opportunity to take DUI classes which can make the consequences less harsh.  Especially for first time offenders, finding DUI classes in your area by searching online can be a great way to save your finances and reputation from a full DUI felony conviction.

The purpose of DUI classes is obviously to scare you into never driving under the influence of alcohol again and to avoid getting an future DUI charge.  They will do this by explaining over and over the science behind why alcohol slows down your reaction times and makes driving safely difficult or impossible.  They will probably bring in a victim of drunk driving who has been injured by someone who was driving while drinking and who will tell an extremely sad story about how their life was irreversibly changed by a driver who had been drinking.  They will provide all sorts of ideas for how to choose a designated driving, how to take public transit, and all sorts of other plans.  They will also walk you through an understanding of all the harsh consequences that wait beyond a full DUI felony conviction.

In summary, it's unlikely that you will learn anything new in these DUI classes. Their primary purpose is ostensibly education, but it's really about scaring you into making sure that you don't ever drive again.  The classes will lack any subtlety, but their message is correct. If you have been charged with a DUI but have the option of taking alcohol education classes, the class will almost certainly not be too fun, but certainly it's better than spending weeks or months in prison as well as paying off a huge fine. 

You can find DUI classes in your area.  Be aware that they will not be inexpensive but be confident that these classes are probably cheaper than being convicted of a DUI and all of the harsh penalties that follow from that.  If you are lucky, the instructor of your class will be a bit funny and not every minute will be miserable.  Be sure to shop around in order to find the classes that are the most affordable, and those that are most conveniently located near your office, school or home.  There will probably be a test in the class, but this is mostly a threat to make sure that you pay attention in class versus taking a nap or checking your cell phone.  The test will probably be easy and something that you could have passed without the class, but still take it seriously so that you can pass the DUI classes and get credit for your attendance.