• 01
  • July
    2010

In recent DUI/DWAI news, the Eight Judicial District in Larimer County has officially created a DUI court that is scheduled to begin operations July 1. The move, considered years in the making by many, follows the recent passage of House Bill 1347which mandates that repeat offenders complete a treatment program for alcohol or substance abuse.

Larimer County officials say that a motivating factor behind the creation of a DUI court was the success of its drug court. Since 2001, 362 people have participated in the drug court and 155 have graduated. Of these 155 addicts, almost 94 percent have not been convicted of either a felony or misdemeanor in the year following their graduation, and 83 percent have no convictions on their records after three years.

Much of the success of the drug court can likely be attributed to its emphasis on treating substance abuse issues and coaching participants on how to follow a healthy lifestyle.

The DUI courts will mimic this approach.

According to Sarah Keck, the DUI court coordinator for Larimer County, "We want the participant to not only work on mental health and substance abuse ... but also on building job skills and life skills."

The DUI court will be overseen by Larimer County Magistrate Matthew Zehe who indicated that participation in the program will be open to most offenders, including those who have criminal records and those who have not enjoyed success in probation. 

However, Zehe also indicated that participation will be limited to only 25 people for the court's first year, a small percentage of the roughly 2,500 annual DUI arrests in Larimer County. 

Participants in DUI court will first be required to serve a sentence via the work release program. Thereafter, they will have to meet with Zehe every other week and complete the necessary program requirements.

"The element of community safety is a big priority. It's the elephant in the room for these offenses ... The objective is to produce safe, sober, productive citizens," said Zehe.  

Stay tuned for further DUI/DWAI news ...

Related Resources:   
• District Creates Court for DUI Offenders (The Coloradoan)