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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
the purpose of court monitoring is to gather statistics that can provide
an analysis of sentences handed down by judges for particular offenses.
Court monitoring also tracks the number of DWI cases heard within a particular
timeframe. Finally, it tracks the number of DWI cases that actually go to
trial (Shinar 1990).
A study conducted in Maine (NHTSA 1990) found court monitoring by concerned
citizen groups is an effective tool in strengthening the adjudication process.
When court monitors are present, the conviction rates of DWI offenders,
including hardcore offenders, are higher and their case dismissal rates
are lower than those of drivers not court-monitored. Also, once convicted,
the likelihood of a jail sentence is higher and the length of the jail sentence
is longer for court-monitored DWI drivers than for non-monitored drivers.
In Mississippi, a statewide court monitor paid with federal funds monitors
the courts for adjudication of DWI offenses. If the monitor notices the
law is not being followed correctly, the monitor reports any non-compliance
to the correct authorities (the Judicial Performance Commission for judges,
the Attorney General for prosecutors and the Mississippi Bar Association
for defense attorneys), who then take appropriate actions. For example,
when Mississippi first instituted vehicle immobilization/impoundment for
second offenders, judges were hesitant to impose such sanctions. Due in
large part to the court monitoring system, enforcement of this sanction
has risen considerably. |
