NCJ Number
74530
Date Published
1979
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This study summarizes the disposition of DWI (driving while intoxicated) arrests in Hennepin County, Minn., from 1971 through 1976.
Abstract
The Minnesota laws pertaining to alcohol-related traffic offenses are reviewed, including the basic DWI law and its provisions regarding preliminary screening, the evidentiary tests, the chemical test evidence, sanctions, right to counsel, and the effect of refusal to permit chemical testing. The open bottle law and the 1976 additions which supplement the basic DWI law in the areas of presentence investigation, reporting of chemical tests, and the making of aggravated violations a gross misdemeanor are also reviewed. Processing DWI arrests in the Hennepin County Municipal Court is discussed, with attention paid to pretrial hearings and conferences, plea bargaining, and judicial manpower. Trends in proportions of differing disposition are noted and related to factors such as blood alcohol concentration. Court backlog, or time between arrest and case disposition, is tabulated, as is the utilization of presentence investigations. Fines assessed and workhouse sentences are also presented. The disposition of cases by court division for 1975 and 1976 is displayed separately. Finally, demographic characteristics of the DWI population are presented. One illustration and 14 tables present the disposition data.