Bill Text: HI HR12 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: DWI Court Program; Hawaii Island; Judiciary

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-04-07 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR12 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HR12-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	12
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the judiciary to examine the FEASIBILITY and potential benefits of establishing DWI Court programs in kona and hilo on hawaii island.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the pervasive problem of impaired driving is a national threat to public safety; and

 

     WHEREAS, any impaired driving conviction results in the offender entering the criminal justice system; and

 

     WHEREAS, courts have unique opportunities to strive for the accountability of substance abusers and to stop recidivism; and

 

     WHEREAS, traditional forms of punishment are ineffective deterrents for repeat impaired driving offenders if unaccompanied by treatment and accountability; and

 

     WHEREAS, DWI Court Programs are post-conviction programs that utilize intensive supervision and long-term treatment to change the behavior of repeat impaired driving offenders; and

 

     WHEREAS, DWI Court Programs employ the strategies of close supervision, frequent alcohol and other drug testing, and ongoing judicial interaction to integrate treatment services into the justice system; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Oahu First Circuit District Court implemented a DWI Court Program in 2013, and has had a zero per cent recidivism rate for subsequent impaired driving arrests of those who have graduated the program, while there is a twenty per cent recidivism rate for subsequent impaired driving arrests among those who were eligible for the DWI Court Program but chose not to screen or join; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to 2010 census data, Hawaii Island accounts for 13.6 per cent of the population of the State, but accounts for 25 per cent of the State's impaired driving cases and has the highest per capita incidence of impaired driving of all counties in the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, urges the Judiciary to examine the feasibility and potential benefits of establishing DWI Court Programs in Kona and Hilo on Hawaii Island; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Judiciary is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court and the Administrative Director of the Courts.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

DWI Court Program; Hawaii Island; Judiciary