Do DWI Courts Work? An Empirical Evaluation of a Texas DWI Court

• NCJ Number: 241040
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 51 Issue: 4 Dated: May - June 2012 Pages: 257-274
• Author(s): Michael R. Cavanaugh; Travis W. Franklin
• Date Published: 2012
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effectiveness of driving while intoxicated (DWI) courts.

Abstract

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) courts have recently gained traction as a potential solution to the problem of repeat DWI offending. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of peer-reviewed studies that have examined their effectiveness. Thus, the current study compared DWI court graduates to a group of similar offenders who completed probation. Rearrest outcomes were examined at 6 and 12 months postrelease and survival analyses were conducted to determine whether DWI court treatment was able to delay rearrest. Results indicated that DWI court was no more effective than probation. These findings suggest that it is premature to endorse DWI courts for reducing DWI recidivism. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.