picture of sign picture of bridge Traffic Safety Digest Fall 2003
 
Project Characteristics
Innovative
Recidivism

Program Areas
Alcohol and Other Drugs

Type of Jurisdiction
County

Targeted Population
DUI At Risk Recidivists and Convicted Multiple Offenders

Jurisdiction Size
Fredericksburg: 19,800
Spotsylvania: 94,400

Funding
User Funded by VASAP Fees

Contact
Judge John R. Stevens
Carol Powell
3630 B Lee Hill Drive 
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 372-3558

Digest Listing


     

VIRGINIA
Rappahannock Area Alcohol Safety Action Program DUI Recidivism Court (Virginia)

PDF Version


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, any person convicted of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) first or second offense in five years must successfully complete a local Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) before driving privileges are reinstated. VASAP includes assessment, placement into intervention services, and monitoring until completion of the intervention.

Although there was a program in place, many offenders did not successfully complete the program making the recidivism rate high. Prior to the DUI Recidivism Court program, it was difficult to get clients to participate in and complete intervention programs as the courts did not play a supporting role. In addition, the time period between non-compliant behavior and intervention was too long and created unnecessary paperwork.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Rappahannock Area Alcohol Safety Action Program RAASAP DUI Recidivism Court is to decrease the recidivism rate of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) offenders through the use of existing intervention methods and the addition of judicial support and immediate sanctions.

The program objectives are to:

  • Increase client participation and completion of intervention programs;

  • Reduce time lapse between non-compliant behavior and court intervention;

  • Improve collaboration between the Court and RAASAP; and

  • Implement immediate sanctions for non-compliant behavior.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Rappahannock Area Alcohol Safety Action Program DUI Recidivism Court implemented the following strategies and related activities to achieve its goals and objectives:

  • Created a DUI court to provide judicial support. The DUI Court is a cooperative effort that includes the Judge, Commonwealth's Attorney, Defense Counsel, treatment professionals and RAASAP Case Manager. The team's efforts are coordinated through RAASAP case manager.

  • The team reviews the progress of each individual participant during the team staffings prior to DUI Court status hearings. Participants appear for the first DUI Court status hearing within seven days of conviction. Thereafter, the participant is scheduled for status hearing every thirty days until successful completion of their substance abuse treatment program. Follow-up status hearings are scheduled every sixty days after completion of treatment. The number of status hearings per month increases for any participant who does not participate in or complete mandatory or court ordered programs at any period during probation.

  • The DUI Court Judge is responsible for imposing sanctions; however, any team member may recommend sanctions. The Judge readily responds to relapse and other violations with immediate sanctions that address non-compliance and other inappropriate conduct, including:

    • Increased frequency of status hearings in the courtroom

    • Increased frequency of alcohol or drug screening

    • Increased case management appointments with RAASAP office

    • Increased treatment attendance

    • Referred for Ignition Interlock Program

    • Removal of driving privileges

    • Curfew

    • Community Service hours

    • Jail

RESULTS

The RAASAP DUI Recidivism Court Program achieved the following results:

  • Reduced rate of new DUI offenses for participants in DUI Court program.

  • Reduced recidivism rate for those who successfully completed the program that they were assigned versus those who did not complete assigned program.

  • Improved client attitude and understanding of their requirements.

  • Support of RAASAP case manager by the Court.

  • Reduced the amount of court time required for RAASAP case manager.

  • Reduced the amount of time spent on case review appointments.

  • Reduced time spent on completing non-compliance reports.

  • Reduced time lapse between non-compliance and court intervention.

  • Established successful collaboration between the Court and RAASAP.

  • Improved community safety due to the promptness of dealing with non-compliance.

 

Fall 2003 complete Digest (PDF)

 

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