Federal Way Municipal Court could offer DUI offenders help in kicking their habit through the establishment of a specialized court.
The city’s municipal court will seek the Washington Traffic Safety Grant in its quest to establish a DUI court. The grant does not call for matching funds from the city, but would require training and a significant amount of time. A DUI court specializes in trying and rehabilitating persons with at least two DUI offenses. The court could help change repeat offenders’ habits and mindsets to prevent them from driving under the influence of alcohol in the future.
If Federal Way is awarded the grant and the city council chooses to move forward with the program, it would be the first of its kind established in a Washington state municipal court. Federal Way has worked closely with Grant and Thurston counties in preparing its application, Federal Way Municipal Court presiding judge Michael Morgan said. Each of the two counties offers a DUI court.
“We’re fortunate in a way that we’ve been able to work closely with the two other courts and learn what works and what doesn’t work,” Morgan said.
Public safety
In 2007, 317 drivers were arrested in Federal Way for DUI, Federal Way police spokesman Raymond Bunk said. In 2008, 297 were arrested, Bunk said.
According to information presented to the city council by the municipal court, 47 percent of the defendants charged with DUI in 2008 had a prior arrest for the offense.
“Where there’s adversity there is sometimes opportunity,” Morgan said.
The grant will cover training in Michigan and interpretation costs, but not the approximately $10,000 it will take to send eight to 12 employees to the training, Morgan said. He hopes other grant opportunities will help with this expense. The goal of the program is to remove repeat DUI offenders from the road, preventing them from endangering themselves and fellow motorists.
“Public safety should be the benefit (of the court) because you’re getting treatment to people who if they don’t get help are likely to re-offened in the community,” Morgan said.
Road to recovery
A defendant could enter the court as part of a plea bargain, at will or under court order, Morgan said. Offenders who have acquired two or more DUI charges within seven years could be eligible for the program, which consists of four phases over a 13-month minimum time frame. A guilty plea would start the offender’s journey through DUI court.
Those participating the court will take part in in-custody intensive treatment for a minimum of 30 days. They will actively engage in group counseling, individual counseling and medically-monitored detoxification, if needed. A probation officer or staff will work with the offender on a treatment and discharge plan.
Additionally, the participant will attend weekly court meetings, undergo a random drug and alcohol test at least three times weekly, attend at least five support groups weekly, and be involved in a DUI Victims Panel, according to the information provided to the city council.
An electronic home monitoring device may also be required. Self-help support groups, random drug tests, regular court appearances and meetings with a sponsor and/or probation officer, among other things, are included in the remaining three phases.
Benefit to the community
For some offenders, DUI courts are motivation to turn their lives around, Morgan said. The court will necessitate extra time committed by staff, prosecutors and probation officers. Removing repeat offenders from the judicial system could help decrease the court’s overall DUI caseload.
“By putting more emphasis on rehabilitation or a diversion agreement, you’re going to see a drop in offense rates, so overall, you’re going to see a drop in cases if the program is successful,” Morgan said.
The city council will once again consider this issue if the municipal court is awarded the grant. The DUI court could be in place as early as early winter 2010.
