SURVEY AND REPORT ON THE TREATMENT OF DRINKING AND ALCOHOLIC DRIVERS IN OKLAHOMA COURTS

• NCJ Number: 12334
• Author(s): S M JOHNSON; M P OPALA
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: Oklahoma Administrative Office of the Courts
• Publication Format: Document

Annotation

REPORT OF METHODS OF HANDLING DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED CASES AND DISCUSSION OF PROCESSING AND TREATING DRINKING DRIVERS IN AVAILABLE FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE STUDY INCLUDES TWO QUESTIONNAIRES, ONE DISTRIBUTED TO STATE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE SECOND TO MUNICIPAL COURTS, CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) CASES. QUESTIONS ASKED INCLUDE 'WHAT PROCEDURES ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF A CONVICTED DWI OFFENDER NEEDS TREATMENT?', AND 'TO WHAT AGENCIES DOES YOUR COURT REFER DRINKING DRIVERS?'. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT DETERMINING THE NEED FOR AND APPROPRIATE TYPE OF TREATMENT FOR A DWI OFFENDER BEING DIFFICULT, MOST CASES ARE HANDLED WITH SOME COMBINATION OF FINE AND INCARCERATION. THESE REMEDIES, THE AUTHORS CONTEND, ARE INSUFFICIENT TO DETER THE DRINKING DRIVER. THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY INCLUDE GRANTING ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO POLICE DEALING WITH INTOXICATED DRIVERS, NEW STATUTORY PROVISIONS ALLOWING LAW ENFORCERS TO CHARGE FIRST OFFENDERS WITH 'DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS', AN OFFENSE WITH LESS STRINGENT PROOF REQUIREMENTS AND MORE LENIENT PENALTIES, AND FURTHER STUDY OF REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR THE DRINKING DRIVER.