picture of sign picture of bridge Traffic Safety Digest Fall 2003
 
Project Characteristics
Innovative
Program Areas
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Type of Jurisdiction
County
Targeted Population
Alcohol Offenders Receiving Preventive Alcohol Testing
Jurisdiction Size
63,000
Funding
State Act 117 DUI Enforcement Funds
Contact
Stephen Reckers
Alcohol Prog. Coordinator 
Gov. Highway Safety Prog.
5 Park Row
Waterbury, VT 05647
(802) 241-5505
sreckers@dps.state.vt.us

Digest Listing

     

VERMONT
Court Ordered Reporting Program

PDF Version

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

In Vermont, judges often order daily breath testing for individuals whose frequent alcohol abuse is a problem. However, the judicial system has no resources to follow-up on those court orders. It is up to the individual to go to his or her local police department voluntarily for daily testing.

In a small community with few police officers, it is necessary to call an officer in off of patrol to perform the test. Often that is not possible, and the individual was sent home untested. Further, if the individual chooses not to appear for the test, no one would necessarily know or be able to follow up. If individuals do not report for testing, there are no repercussions, and no one is aware of the failure to report.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Court Ordered Reporting Program is to ensure that individuals with a court order report for alcohol testing (predominantly for alcohol-related driving infractions) as ordered, or that action is taken when offenders fail to report for testing.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Rutland County Sheriff's Department worked with the State's Attorney and local Judges to develop the Court Ordered Reporting program which is designed to take the burden of performing court ordered breath testing off of local police departments. The Sheriff's Department is now responsible for:

  • Receiving copies of court ordered tests;

  • Maintaining regular testing hours, seven days a week;

  • Scheduling all offenders' breath testing during testing hours;

  • Conducting court ordered breath testing; and

  • Following up and taking action against offenders who do not appear.

RESULTS

In 2001, the Court Ordered Reporting Program achieved the following results:

  • Monitored 200 individuals and administered 20,000 breath tests.

  • Followed up on 41 violations: five for alcohol violations and the remainder for failing to appear.

  • Arrested or requested warrants for violators.

 

Fall 2003 complete Digest (PDF)

 
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