D.W.I. TREATMENT COURT
RATIONAL FOR THE D.A.'S TREATMENT PROGRAM:
  • To protect our citizens by providing early intervention for DWI's
  • To provide evaluation, education, and treatment to persons arrested for first and second offense DWI's
  • To assist Judges by providing treatment to misdemeanor DWI's
  • To reduce the number of felony DWI's and to provide justification for more severe prison sentences for felons who have refused treatment or failed to change their life of substance abuse while in treatment
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DWI STATISTICS:
  • Every 33 minutes someone is killed on our highways
  • Over 40% of all accidents are Alcohol Related
  • Most drunk drivers believe they will not get caught
  • Research shows fines and jail do not work for DWI’s
  • Jail is effective only to coerce treatment
  • Based on evaluations of DWI first offense clients - 1/3 have a serious drinking problem. This being the first time they have been caught
  • Without coercion 80-90% drop out of treatment by the end of the first year
    National Highway Safety Commission
  • Top 3 Priorities:
    • Enforce DWI Laws
    • Evaluate and treat the Offender
    • Spread Drug and DWI Treatment Courts across the Country
    State Police & Local Law Enforcement Goals:
  • Enforce the DWI Laws
    • DWI check points
    • Barroom sweeps
    • Court appearances
  • Public Information Campaign
    • Speaking Engagements
    • Media Campaign
    • Bill Boards
  • Education
    • Attend in-service training on DWI Prevention
    • Attend in-service training on substance abuse addiction
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DWI TREATMENT COURTS:
  • Combine intense judicial supervision with comprehensive substance abuse assessment and treatment
  • Hold offenders accountable for their actions while providing the help that they need to break the pattern of addiction
  • Employ a non-adversarial, team approach
  • Require a minimum twelve months of (coerced) treatment
    Necessary Elements
  • DWI Court team: judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, coordinator, probation officer, treatment provider, case management
  • Steering Committee of community partners
  • Ten Key Components (www.ndci.org)
  • Evaluation
  • Sustainability
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LOUISIANA'S DWI LAW:
    DWI 1st Offence
    • License suspended for 90 days
    • Fine $300 - $1000
    • Jail 10 days - 6 months (can be suspended)
    • 32 hrs CSW
    • Driver Improvement program
    • 18 months Probation (6 months supervised)
    • Additional in Terrebonne Parish
      • Substance abuse evaluation
      • Treatment based on evaluation
        • Level I - Video and 1 treatment session
        • Level II - 12 education groups & 12 AA meetings
        • Level III - 12 education groups, 24 AA meetings & 12 therapy group meetings
    DWI 2nd Offense
    • License suspended for 1 year
    • Fine $750 - $1000
    • Jail 30 days - 6 months (48 hrs cannot be suspended)
    • 240 hrs CSW
    • Substance abuse program
    • Driver improvement program
    • Additional in Terrebonne Parish
      • DWI Treatment Court
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REQUIREMENTS FOR TERREBONNE PARISH DWI TREATMENT COURT:
  • Probation until treatment is completed
  • MADD victim impact panel program
  • Gainfully Employed
  • Treatment: minimum of 1 year
  • Frequent court appearances (minimum of 17 in the first year)
  • AA Meetings (minimum of 68 in the first year)
  • Installation of an Ignition Interlock system on each vehicle
  • Drug and Alcohol Testing (minimum of twice per week)
  • Sanctions as needed
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CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN D.W.I.T.C.:
  • First offense DWIs that do not qualify for D.A. Probation
  • Second offense DWIs
  • Must have a Non-Violent Record
  • Must agree to plead Guilty
  • Sentenced to DWI Treatment Court after being found guilty
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COST OF THE PROGRAM:
  • DWI Treatment Court Fees ($25 per week include)
    • Drug treatment screening
    • Assessments
    • Orientation
    • Education sessions
    • Counseling sessions
    • Breathalyzer tests
    • Drug tests
    • Individual Therapy Sessions
    • Supervision by Probation Officers
    • Case Management Services
    • Court Appearances
    • Note: Court cost and fines not included (these are treatment fees)
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SERVICES PROVIDED TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:
  • Medical Direction
  • Medical Screening
  • Initial Assessment
  • Intensive Outpatient Care
  • Inpatient Care Referral
  • Individual Counseling
  • Family Therapy and Education
  • Educational Classes
  • Required Twelve (12) Step Programs Attendance
  • Psychiatric Services and Referral
  • Case Management
  • Drug Testing
  • Job Training and Employment Assistance
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THE 4 PHASES OF D.W.I. COURT:
PHASE I (Minimum 5 Months)
Judicial
Component
Orientation
Weekly Staffing
Bi-weekly Meeting with Offender (Minimum)
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Supervisory
Component
Twice-weekly Meeting with Offender
Community Service
Ignition Interlock, if DL Reinstated
MADD Victim Impact Panel
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Remain Employed
Treatment
Component
Initial Assessment
Develope Treatment Plan
Twice-weekly Substance Abuse Counseling
Two AA Meetings per Week
AOD Testing
Component
BAC Testing at Each Contact
Minimum of 2 Weekly Urine Drug Screens
PHASE II (Minimum 5 Months)
Judicial
Component
Twice-monthly Staffing
Monthly Meeting with Offender (Minimum)
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Supervisory
Component
Weekly Meeting with Offender
Ignition Interlock, if DL Reinstated
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Community Service, MADD Victim Impact Panel
Remain Employed
Treatment
Component
Review/Revise Assessment
Review/Revise Treatment Plan
Weekly Substance Abuse Counseling
One AA Meeting per Week (Minimum)
AOD Testing
Component
BAC Testing at Each Contact
Weekly Urine Drug Screens
PHASE III (Minimum 2 Months)
Judicial
Component
Monthly Staffing
Monthly Meeting with Offender (Minimum)
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Supervisory
Component
Twice-monthly Meeting with Offender
Ignition Interlock, if DL Reinstated
Sanctions/Incentives as Appropriate
Community Service
Remain Employed
Treatment
Component
Review/Revise Assessment
Review/Revise Treatment Plan
Weekly Substance Abuse Counseling
One AA Meeting per Week
AOD Testing
Component
BAC Testing at Each Contact
Weekly Urine Drug Screens (Minimum)
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