Center for Law & Addiction

The consequences of addiction and alcohol abuse all too often result in law enforcement and Court action. A variety of arrests occur, directly and indirectly, resulting from the influence of alcohol and other substances. And alcohol and drugs may be a contributing cause in divorce, child custody disputes and juvenile matters. Our Center for Law & Addiction provides confidential evaluations to assist lawyers, individuals and Courts around the country in determining whether treatment would be appropriate in these matters.

While the majority of our evaluations concern cases involving alcohol and drug use, we have also performed assessments in matters concerning compulsive sexual behaviors, gambling, Alzheimer's–like dementia, out of control spending and/or shoplifting, and other obsessive compulsive disorders. Our reports have been submitted as evidence in courts throughout California and a variety of other states from Michigan to Wyoming, and we accept referrals directly from the individual as well as counsel of record.

The Center for Law & Addiction meets with the client, reviews documents and medical records (as necessary), conducts an in-depth evaluation and prepares an Expert Analysis recognized by Courts for its probative value on the issue of whether treatment options (clinical, outpatient, therapeutic or twelve step support group) should be included as a component of the Court's ruling on the case. Our evaluations do not always conclude that substance abuse treatment is necessary or appropriate. We conduct an impartial and credible evaluation to assist both our clients and the Court in finding the best possible solution for the underlying problem, which often results in long term relief for clients burdened by legal disputes.

These cases form a significant percentage of matters in the Court system. In 1992, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, alcohol and drug abuse caused an estimated 25 to 30 percent of crimes at a cost of $24.3 billion. Another $45.6 billion was incurred as lost productivity among crime's victims, and offenders. And alcohol and drug abuse caused 3 to 4 percent of social welfare cases (including foster care programs) at a cost of more than $11 billion in the United States. Finally, alcohol abuse has been implicated in about 18 percent of all motor vehicle crashes and nearly 40 percent of fatal crashes in the United States at a cost of more than $13.6 billion.

Our Center for Law & Addiction provides a focused approach to evaluate the needs of clients facing court–related disputes. We can often take a stressful and negative situation and find common solutions that help conclude the legal matter and give our clients peace of mind. Call us for a confidential consultation at (310) 415-5067.

And to assist with your legal representation, you or your family may contact Lawrence Wolf, (310) 277-1707, the co–founder of the Center for Law & Addiction and a criminal defense lawyer with more than 30 years' experience.