New Solution For Some DUI Cases Is Coming To Augusta.

It is an alternative way to handle some convicted drunk drivers.

In a couple of weeks, Augusta's Judicial Center will open it's doors to astate DUI Court program.

It is an Accountability Court, a system designed to put nonviolent offenders in treatment programs rather than jail.

But as Georgia's Accountability Courts website states, it's not a "get out of jail free card."

Participants have to undergo intensive treatment programs, random drug and alcohol tests, and regular court appearances.

"One of the main goals is to change their way of thinking, and how they're acting, and to change who they are associating with, and really, change their values," said Judge James Blanchard.

Blanchard oversees other Accountability Courts in the area including Drug Court, he said the system works.

Various Accountability Courts work a little differently, but they do have a couple things in common - penalties and rewards.

"You are complying with the terms, you are in a phase and you move up through each phase until you graduate from the program, if you don't graduate from the program, you may be subject to short terms of incarceration," said Blanchard.

The other, which Judge Blanchard said is vital, is treatment.

"The treatment is extremely important, because there is a problem that they don't know how to deal with," said Blanchard.