in higher conviction rates. When monitors cannot be in court, they collect data through online records in a process called data mining.
The Case for Court Monitoring Research has shown that first-time DUI offenders have driven drunk an average of 87 times before they are arrested (Zader, Krawchuk, Moore, 1997). The primary reason drivers continue to drive drunk is because they can. Nationally, about one-third of all drivers arrested for DUI have had a previous drunk driving conviction, which is similar to Nebraska’s rate. Across the country, DUI cases are often handled inconsistently, amended to a lesser charge, or simply dismissed by the justice system. MADD Nebraska advocates for swift and equitable treatment for all DUI cases. MADD’s Court Monitoring Program (CMP) was designed to ensure that DUI arrests are prosecuted, unwarranted dismissals are decreased and justice is achieved. Goals of the CMP are to: • Compile pertinent information on how DUI court cases are handled from county to county. • Share mutual concerns about the outcomes of criminal cases with professionals in the legal arena. • Report information gathered by trained volunteers to relevant entities and community members to ensure the system can be maintained and improved. To achieve these goals, MADD Nebraska utilized trained volunteers to observe court procedures and collect pertinent information in DUI cases. Types of data collected included offense type, age and gender of the offender and sanctions imposed. MADD also worked closely with law enforcement, prosecutors and vested partners to relay data collected from the court monitoring program to show trends, patterns and behaviors when it comes to drunk driving enforcement and prosecution in those counties. County Selection The fifteen priority counties included in the MADD Court Monitoring Evaluation and Education Project account for 1,414,651 residents or 74% of the Nebraska population. The fifteen counties are: Adams, Buffalo, Custer, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Hall, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Platte, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington and York. These counties were identified by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) as having either a high crash rate for alcohol, speed and/or alcohol use by youth. The target population consists of offenders arrested for DUI. It is imperative that courts take a strong look at the effectiveness of DUI adjudication and how those actions contribute to the progress in reducing impaired driving fatalities and recidivism. Residents will benefit from a court monitoring program focused on the criminal justice system and sentencing outcomes. MADD Nebraska worked closely with law enforcement, prosecutors, court personnel, and vested partners to collect data. Information will illustrate trends, patterns, and behaviors surrounding impaired driving enforcement and prosecution.
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