NCJ Number
87915
Date Published
1983
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the impact of Chapter 373, a new Massachusetts law enacted to provide increased certainty of punishment for those found guilty of driving under the influence, on the volume of drunk driving arraignments.
Abstract
Data analyzed for this report were obtained from the Monthly Reports of Probation Activities publication, as submitted to the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. To assess the impact of the new law, the statewide annual volume of arraignments for driving under the influence were compared from 1976 to 1982, the year the new law was passed. Drunk driver arraignments totaled 17,419 in 1976 and 33,290 in 1982. While the 1982 arraignment data suggest active enforcement of the law, it may also be that legislative changes are preceded by considerable media/public attention on the subject of drunk driving. When the monthly statewide totals in 1982 were compared to month-by-month arraignment totals in 1981, every month had a higher volume in 1982. Some courts reported increases of 40 percent or more from 1981 to 1982; a few courts reported a decline in drunk driver arraignments during that period. Data indicate that the more stringent criminal penalties of the new law are not the only factor contributing to an increase in drunk driving arraignments. Heightened awareness of the problem may have been as significant as the actual legislative change in terms of resource allocation and public opinion. Eight tables are provided.