If you live in California and have repeated DUIs, you should learn more about the collaborative court process. DUI courts are collaborative and provide personalized supervision and treatment to defendants who have several DUIs or DWIs. This form of rehabilitation has a proven success record and offers an alternative to conventional incarceration through accountability and supervision systems and rehabilitative treatment.
What is the goal of collaborative court?
A collaborative court can reduce instances of impaired driving and fatalities due to traffic accidents. This type of court also addresses the defendants’ substance abuse and mental health issues to assist them in living a healthy life that keeps them from endangering themselves or others.
How do collaborative courts work?
DUI/DWI courts focus on individuals with a history of substance dependency/abuse and criminal behavior. These individuals must have the motivation to change their habits and behaviors and will undergo a clinical assessment. All participants in collaborative court voluntarily consent to their rehabilitation process and the DUI courts will use monitoring/supervision and case management to ensure defendants are held accountable. The presiding judge should be dedicated to the collaborative court modern and facilitate teamwork among the other professionals involved in the case.
How effective are DUI/DWI courts?
The research for collaborative courts is promising even though this type of court is fairly new. Research indicates that DUI/DWI courts are about as successful as drug courts. A study of Michigan’s DUI courts in 2011 indicated that those who participated in the program were 18 times less likely to be re-arrested for a DWI. A 2011 study in Georgia revealed that the rate of recidivism dropped from 34% to 15% for those who participated in collaborative court.
Defendants who are faced with repeat DUI charges should speak with an experienced attorney who can review their case and help them through the collaborative court process.
