To get a Georgia court to accept your Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Georgia, you must follow two strict rules. First, a clinical evaluator must be on the official Georgia DBHDD registry. Second, your assessment must follow all guidelines set out in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391.

If you have a DUI or drug charge in Georgia, the court or your attorney will likely tell you to complete this required evaluation. In the rush after an arrest, many people search online and pick the fastest or cheapest service. But this can lead to the court rejecting your paperwork. It can also cost you extra money, delay your case, or even put your driver’s license at risk.

The Validity Crisis: Not All Evaluations Are the Same

Look online and you’ll find many companies promising fast, cheap “online drug evaluations.” These “deals” often target people in a tough spot. However, they sell a product that holds no weight in a Georgia courtroom. You must know the difference between a random online screening and a true state-approved clinical evaluation.

A real alcohol and drug evaluation marietta is both a medical and legal assessment. It goes far beyond a quick quiz. The evaluation decides if you meet the guidelines for a substance use disorder and need treatment. Providing a fake or unapproved evaluation is risky. The judge will quickly spot it as if you handed them a fake ID. You could face more problems as a result.

If you need an alcohol and drug evaluation in Atlanta, Marietta, or Decatur, choose a provider that understands local court rules. Let’s look at 5 signs that your evaluation may not pass Georgia’s strict acceptance test.

1. The Provider Is Not on the DBHDD Clinical Evaluator Registry

This sign is the most important. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) keeps a list of approved clinical evaluators. Your evaluator must be on this registry. Otherwise, the court will reject your evaluation.

Judges, prosecutors, and probation officers check this list and confirm your provider’s credentials.

Using an unlisted evaluator ensures your evaluation gets tossed out.

• How to Check: Ask the provider for their DBHDD certification, or review the state registry directly. Providers like those at AACS Atlanta are always happy to share this information.
• The Out-of-State Trap: Watch out for online services using counselors from out of state. A therapist licensed in another state—even Florida or Texas—cannot do a Georgia court-ordered evaluation unless they are on the DBHDD registry.

2. They Use Generic Screening Tools and Not State-Approved Instruments

A valid Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Georgia always uses trusted and state-recognized assessment tools. If your evaluator only asks you a few random questions, that’s a problem. Georgia courts expect signs your evaluator used industry-standard instruments.

Look for these two main tools:

• SASSI-4 (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory): This tool is respected for detecting substance use disorders, even when people don’t want to admit to a problem.
• ASAM Criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine): This set of rules helps decide what care you need, from basic counseling to more intensive treatment.

If your evaluator can’t tell you which tool they use or relies on a generic questionnaire, expect the court to question and dismiss the evaluation.

3. The ‘Instant’ Red Flag: No Real Interview

Scammers often promise “instant certificates” or results in “just 10 minutes.” They hope you want a fast fix and won’t ask questions.

Georgia requires you to complete a detailed clinical interview with your evaluator. This must happen in real time.

You have two options:

• In-Person: Go to a local office for your session.
• HIPAA-Compliant Telehealth: Use a secure video call with a live, Georgia-licensed evaluator. A phone call or an automated form is not enough and does not count.

During the real interview, the evaluator asks for details, notes your body language, and collects a full personal history. Automated systems can’t meet Georgia’s standards and will get your evaluation rejected.

4. The Evaluation Is Not DDS Compliant

A Georgia Alcohol and Drug Evaluation does more than satisfy the court. It must also meet the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requirements for license reinstatement. If you use an unapproved provider, you might get a certificate, but DDS will not accept or process it.

After you finish the evaluation (and any treatment, if needed), your provider must enter your information into the official state database. If they skip this or make errors, DDS will not lift your license hold, even if your court case is over. You might stay suspended and not even know why.

Legitimate providers take care of both the court and DDS rules. They make sure to submit everything on your behalf when you meet all the requirements.

5. The Evaluator Lacks Local Knowledge

Every county has its own expectations. Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb counties have small but important differences. While DBHDD sets the basic standards, each judge or solicitor has their own way of doing things.

Many out-of-state or inexperienced evaluators overlook these local differences:

• Some Fulton County courts want the evaluation report before the arraignment.
• Cobb County solicitors may need special formatting for treatment recommendations.
• DeKalb County judges may see a proactive evaluation as a sign of responsibility and good faith.

Providers with offices in Atlanta, Marietta, and Decatur—like AACS Atlanta—work with these courts every day. They know the people, understand what each jurisdiction wants, and tailor their reports to those needs. As a result, your evaluation is more likely to be accepted without problems.

The ‘Golden Rule’ of Fees: Beware Discount Evaluations

Georgia law sets a minimum fee of $150 for a clinical evaluation. If anyone offers a deal for less—$50, $75, or a similar amount—they are not following the law. These cheap providers are usually unapproved and just want your money. Paying less might feel good at first, but you’ll likely need to pay more for a valid evaluation down the line.

Telehealth in 2025: What to Know

For 2025, you can choose a virtual evaluation using a secure telehealth system. You must still follow all the same rules. The evaluation must happen live by video with a professional on the DBHDD registry—and they must physically work in Georgia. Telehealth gives more flexibility, but not fewer requirements.

Your Next Step: Choose 100% Compliance

A DUI or drug charge is stressful enough. You don’t need the extra hassle of a bad or invalid evaluation. Don’t risk your future by cutting corners. Pick a state-approved, experienced, and local provider to guarantee your evaluation is accepted by the court and DDS on the first try.

Don’t let a bad evaluation mess up your case. Schedule your 100% compliant alcohol and drug evaluation in Georgia with AACS Atlanta today. Take the right step and leave this behind you.