NCJ Number
104791
Date Published
1985
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This study examined defendant characteristics, court outcomes, and sentences for 5,776 drunk driving arrests made in New York City between January 1, 1982, and June 30, 1983.
Abstract
For all cases, violations of any part of Section 1192 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law were among the top four arrest charges. Most of the defendants were male and over 30 years old. Most of the cases had been disposed in criminal court as of July 1, 1984, with 82.1 percent through a guilty plea. The majority of defendants convicted were sentenced to fine or imprisonment (51.1 percent). Jail sentences were commonly between 1 and 15 days. Most fines were $250 (63.1 percent). Defendants generally did not have prior criminal records; those with prior convictions were likely to have their current case transferred to supreme court. The Bronx had the highest volume of arrests, and those defendants were most likely to be convicted and receive the most severe sentences. Future studies of drunk driving arrests should more clearly identify charge severity among the data sources and include other data, such as blood alcohol content, license suspension or revocation, and fine payments. Recidivism rates and participation in special programs would also help assess the success of the State's drunk driving program. 16 tables.