Multi-Track DWI Court Pilot

PROGRAM ABSTRACT

The Boone County Treatment Court of Missouri is applying for the 2021 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. Category 3 (Enhancement) to expand to a Multi-track DWI Court that accepts repeat (misdemeanor) DWI cases.  The total amount requested for the four year grant period is $489,398.  This program enhancement would: 1) allow for Boone County to serve as a pilot project in Missouri for a Multi-Track DWI Court where participants are treated and monitored based on risk and need level, 2) allow the DWI Court to accept DWI second offenses which are currently ineligible for the program and 3) Engage in a process, outcome and cost evaluation to support ongoing program improvement in implementing research-based best practices following NADCP’s Standards and to ensure that the program is having its intended impact of improving the safety of Missouri’s roads (decreasing DWI recidivism)..  The population of Boone County, Missouri is 180,463, according to 2019 U.S. Census Report. 

The Boone County DWI Court was established in 2010.  Honorable Casey Clevenger has presided over this Court since 2015.  The DWI Court is a post-adjudication program added as a special condition of probation to persistent DWI (3rd offense or subsequent) offenders.  Participants who reach the requisite treatment phase in DWI Court and who have adjusted their habits and conduct to no longer pose a threat to public safety are eligible for a limited driving privilege.  These offenders would otherwise be facing lifetime or 10-year denials on their driving privileges.  The Court has statutory discretion to approve the limited driving privilege for DWI Court participants.  Those awarded the limited driving privilege are monitored through random drug testing and ignition interlock devices.  The risk to public safety is reduced by the Court closely monitoring these participants.  

The DWI Court accepts third and subsequent, felony level DWI offenders into the program, with a cap of up to 40 participants.  The program takes a minimum of fourteen months to complete utilizing the 5 track model as presented by the National Center for DWI Courts.  The target population is nonviolent offenders with three or more DWI convictions.  The program only accepts felony offenses.  Boone County DWI Court has achieved at least an 82% graduation rate over the past 5 years.  The program charges a $499 fee for the clinical assessment plus a monthly fee of $150.  The Court does have an indigency policy in place where participants may petition the Court for fees to be reduced or waived based on the Federal poverty guidelines.  The Court does not currently have any risk assessment tool in place and risk and need level are not determined or measured.  DWI Court participants are clinically assessed upon admission, but all DWI Court participants are assigned the same group schedule.  If the participant is not able to achieve sobriety with the assigned group schedule, a higher level of care is considered, and the participant is offered residential, inpatient treatment.  Participants must complete a minimum of 75 hours of clinical treatment, as set forth by Missouri Serious and Repeat DWI Offender (SROP) guidelines.  This number of hours is not individualized based on need.  However, the Boone County DWI Court has obtained the support from Missouri SATOP Director Mark Rembecki to deviate from that 75 hour minimum based on an individualized treatment plan and implementation of an evidence- based tool, such as the DUI Risk and Need Triage (RANT®) Once engaged in a treatment plan, participants are screened for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), based on need.  Adherence to the treatment schedule is monitored by the Court and a priority for all team members. 

The DWI Court consists of the judicial officer, a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, law enforcement, probation officer, treatment providers and administrator.  The Court partners with numerous county-based organizations as well as leveraging community and agency partner resources to allow participants access to more resources at no additional cost.  This includes Spectrum Healthcare, Powerhouse Community Development Programs, Reality House Programs, IN2Action, Jobpoint and Connections to Success. 

The Boone County DWI Court is seeking to enhance its program in two primary ways.  First by expanding to a multi-track model and implementing the DUI RANT, providing each offender with an individualized treatment and monitoring plan based on risk and need.  This includes increased monitoring for high risk offenders and bridging treatment gaps for high need offenders.  Second by expanding the DWI Court to accept second offense, misdemeanor DWI offenses by hiring a case manager to monitor compliance for increased public safety.   Accepting repeat DWI offenders would also expand the program capacity from 40 to 80 participants.

Boone County DWI Court will ensure compliance with the 10 key Components in the implementation of this grant.  All seven design features are addressed in this project: screening and assessment (pages 3, 7, 8, 10), target population (pages 7, 8, 10, 11), procedural and distributive justice (page 13 ), judicial interaction (pages 5, 13, 14, 17), monitoring (pages 4, 9, 10, 16, 19 ), treatment (pages 7, 12, 13, 15 ) and relapse prevention and after care (pages 15, 21, 22).  The 13th Judicial Circuit will collect and report recidivism rates in the Court’s statewide case management system.  Boone County is not a designated Empowerment Zone or Renewal Community by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Boone County is part of a Missouri pilot project that receives BJA funding for equity and inclusion, but that funding goes to our Adult Drug and Co-Occurring Court programs.  Boone County DWI Court grants permission to OJP to share the project abstract with the public.