Interlock Issues and Concerns
Some statistics from DPS were recently given to me by a colleague indicating that for the calendar year 2005, Texas judges only ordered breath interlock devices for repeat offenders 15-25% of the time (depending on who is interpreting the statistics), even though the statute requires that all repeat offenders have breath interlock ordered as a condition of probation or bond. These statistics supposedly also include those cases in which breath interlock is required as a condition of probation if the defendant blew .15 or higher. However, interlock vendor records indicate that approximately 10 times as many interlocks were ordered as were reported by DPS. I have not been able to determine who at DPS is responsible for maintaining and disseminating these statistics. Fortunately, we will have the benefit of a validated study in 2008. The Texas Transportation Institute, with grant money from TxDOT, is currently conducting a detailed study to determine how often and under what conditions breath interlock devices are being ordered, both at the magistrate level and at the trial level. TTI will then compare these results to the number of defendants who should have been required to have the devices according to the various statutes. MORE>>
News
2008 Training, Technical Assistance, and Resources
The Texas Center for the Judiciary has a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to increase the effectiveness of DWI adjudications in Texas. By spanning the gap between traffic safety and the judiciary, the Texas Center and Judge David L. Hodges, Texas Judicial Resource Liaison, provide training, technical assistance, and support for Texas judges handling DWI and other traffic safety related cases.
NHTSA DWI Court Training Initiative – June 3-6, 2008 – Austin, Texas
This national training initiative is designed to assist local communities develop DWI Court programs and is conducted in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Drug Court Institute. Under this initiative, judges identify a team of eight people representing various professions who are interested in participating in a facilitated planning process to establish a local DWI Court. If you've ever thought about starting a DWI court or want to be sure your county is in compliance with HB 530, here’s your chance for all-expense paid team training. Contact Judge David Hodges (254-744-1115) or dhodges@yourhonor.com immediately for additional information and assistance in completing the preliminary training team application.
DWI Conference (Texas Judicial College for the Study of Alcohol and Other Drugs) – July 20-24, 2008 – Austin, Texas
This four day all-expense training will offer three educational tracks. Track I educates judges about alcohol and other drugs, provides a more practical understanding of areas such as SFST’s, DRE’s, and discusses the use and operation of breath interlock, SCRAM, and other technological devices. Track II educates administrative law judges about issues to be decided in administrative license revocation cases. Track III provides additional advanced training for currently functioning DWI Court Teams. Contact Judge David Hodges (254-744-1115) or dhodges@yourhonor.com for additional information.
DWI Website: http://www.yourhonor.com/dwi/dwihome.html
The purpose of this valuable website is to help Texas judges who handle these cases by providing legal resources, educational articles on pertinent subjects, a forms depository, and a convenient forum for Texas judges to exchange their ideas directly with each other.
This newsletter has been provided by the Texas Center for the Judiciary pursuant to a grant from TxDOT. If you have suggestions for items to be included in this Newsletter, or wish to be removed from the Newsletter mailing list, please contact:
Judge David L. HodgesJudicial Resource Liaison
dhodges@yourhonor.com