If you are convicted of OWI, you WILL be required to submit to an assessment and perform any required counseling.  Failure to do so would result in an indefinite suspension of your operating privileges or a suspension until you have complied.

The assessment will be performed in the county where you reside and must be performed by an approved treatment facility.  If you live out of state, you will have to complete the assessment and counseling at an approved facility within your state. 

There is a cost for both the assessment and any follow up counseling or group dynamics.  Some counties require you to pay the assessment fee prior to the assessment being performed.  Whether you will need to complete counseling or group dynamics will depend on many factors, including the number of prior offenses and the answers you provide at the initial assessment appointment.  

In some situations, completing a pre-conviction assessment and counseling might help lessen the penalties or even get the charged reduced.  I have had cases amended where the client has completed pre-conviction counseling.