DUI Courts Offer Alternative to Jail

Drivers accused of driving under the influence (DUI) may soon be appearing in special DUI courts rather than criminal court. These special courts are designed to offer court-supervised substance abuse treatment. The system is based on a model that has proven to be effective in the treatment of drug offenders. While drug courts have been in existence for over two decades, DUI courts are a more recent development, with the first DUI courts being established in 1997-1998.

According to the National Center for DWI Courts, there are currently 110 DUI courts in existence nationwide. In addition, there are 286 drug courts, including 2 in Illinois, which act as hybrid courts, currently serving both drug and DUI offenders. Studies have shown that participants in DUI court have a substantially lower rate of a repeat offense or recidivism; over a two-year period, offenders who went through the regular criminal justice system were 19 times more likely to be arrested for another DUI than those who went through the DUI court system.

The specialized DUI court system also offers economic advantages over the criminal court system. According to the Illinois Attorney General, it costs approximately $23,812 a year to incarcerate someone, as opposed to the $2,000 annual cost per participant in the DUI Court treatment program. The annual savings is thus approximately $21,000 per person.

The DUI court system recognizes that alcohol behavior is influenced by genetic and biological influences. The focus is on treatment and education, not incarceration. Participants undergo long-term treatment (typically 12 months), frequent testing to ensure abstinence from alcohol, counseling, and court appearances involving interaction with a judge. Their progress is carefully monitored and evaluated.

DUI court is an alternative to going to jail and can help some people break the cycle of an addiction to alcohol. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a response to this posting, but keep in mind that your response will not be kept confidential. If you have been arrested for DUI in the Chicago area, contact an experienced DUI attorney immediately to protect and preserve your rights. If you are facing a DUI/DWI charge, call me to discuss your options and alternatives.