NCJ Number
102200
Date Published
1985
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Legislation on driving under the influence of alcohol in Massachusetts was changed significantly on December 1, 1975. Changes permitted courts to continue cases without a finding if defendants were placed on probation and assigned to alcohol education.
Abstract
The effects of the revisions on the incidence of rearrest was assessed by comparing the 3-year arrest records of 522 individuals arrested for drunken driving 2 years before the changes (1973) with those of 716 and 690 offenders arrested 1 (1976) and 2 years (1977) after the modifications. Sample participants were selected randomly. Results indicate that the legislation strongly affected court dispositions. Over 70 percent of the 1976 and 1977 cases were continued without findings, and more offenders were sanctioned. The proportion found not guilty dropped from 1973 to 1976-1977. Absolute arrest rates were similar for each cohort, but the probability of arrest rose substantially. Relative to the increased arrest rate, rearrests significantly declined 2 and 3 years after a drunken driving arrest in the postmodification period. The legislation apparently contributed to an ameliation of the drunken driving problem by encouraging judicial reforms and educational interventions. 13 references. (Author abstract modified)