An evaluation of the efficacy of the DUI Pilot Court Program for prosecuting habitual DUI offenders in Sedgwick county, Kansas

Abstract

This study examined participants of the DUI/ Drug Pilot Court Program located in the Eighteenth Judicial District of Sedgwick County, Kansas. A discriminant analysis was conducted to determine if age, number of days in jail, gender, fine amount, number of charges in a single stop, continuances and number of convictions were factors for predicting the outcome group for a given offender. The three outcome groups were: technical violators, new charges and successful completers group. This study also examined the differences of each group. This study utilized secondary data which was provided by the DUI Victim Center of Kansas and the District Attorney’s Office. The sample population consisted of 362 offenders and from that 140 cases were selected. This study evaluated the offenders at 2 years post-conviction. The participants that was used in this study were (N= 140), 85.7% (N=120) were male and 14.3% (N=20) were female. The age ranges of the participants were from 19-67 years old. Results of the discriminant analysis indicate that age, gender, number of days in jail, fine amount and number of charges were significant in determining offender outcome groups. The results also indicate that males in their late 30’s are more likely to receive new charges while under the commitment of the court if they spent a significant amount of time in jail while awaiting treatment and rehabilitation. This study also indicates that males in their early 40’s are receiving technical violations, but if they get into treatment and rehabilitation faster they are more likely to complete the program successfully.