Key Findings & Observations
Tennessee reestablished its formal Court Monitoring program in 2019. MADD staff and volunteers have monitored 1403 cases 2021 through funding made available by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.
In 2021, MADD Tennessee continued to monitor all counties, with the exception of Shelby, by utilizing the Tennessee Public Court Records System and/or the counties clerk website. During this time period, courts were closed to the public due to the pandemic. MADD Tennessee continued to monitor cases in Shelby County virtually through the Zoom platform provided to us by the Shelby County District Attorney. Court Monitoring staff and volunteers collected specific information on cases stemming from DUI arrests in court hearings and through case research online. MADD Tennessee also held multiple meetings with informed individuals within the enforcement and prosecution communities to assist with interpretation and context.
Based on the case information collected and tracked by MADD court monitors in 2021, the following overall observations were presented:
As restrictions from the Covid-19 began to lift throughout 2021, MADD Tennessee was able to monitor considerably more cases. In 2020, we monitored 780 cases. This was an increase of 52%. In the 2021 year, 1,403 cases were monitored. 470 cases currently have a pending outcome. These cases are likely pending due to the courts being backlogged because of the COVID-19 pandemic, continuances, and/or capias warrants being issued for offenders to appear in court. MADD Tennessee continues to monitor courts across the state; we will continue to move toward more in person monitoring as well as continue to train MADD Court Monitoring volunteers. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DRUNK OR DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING, MADD IS HERE TO HELP. CALL OUR VICTIM/SURVIVOR 24-HOUR HELPLINE AT 877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435). that law enforcement is the most effective method to stop drunk and impaired driving instances. for support of high visibility law enforcement. for mobilization with community partners to increase awareness about the continuing devastating consequences of drunk and impaired driving. for cases to be heard on their merits and not dismissed prematurely, which prevents the use of ignition interlocks; and for compliance with statutory requirements, which stipulate to the installation of ignition interlock devices in all vehicles driven by offenders. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reiterates its position:
(1) Richard, C. M., Magee, K., Bacon-Abdelmoteleb, P., & Brown, J. L. (2018, April). Countermeasures that work: A highway safety countermeasure guide for State Highway Safety Offices, Ninth edition (Report No. DOT HS 812 478). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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