Background

As one of MADD's core programs, the Court Monitoring Program is a tool to observe the DWI/DUI criminal justice system and create accountability.  The program is focused on forming strong strategic alliances with law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and the defense bar, including public defenders.

In 2002 MADD entered into a partnership with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to change the focus of the Court Monitoring Program to collect data to identify potentiol gaps in the prosecution and adjudication process.  MADD is also working with John Hopkins University, through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to evaluate the effectiveness of MADD's current program.  The final report is due Summer 2007.

Goals of Court Monitoring

MADD's Court Monitoring program has three goals:

1. Compile statistics on how DWI/DUI cases are handled;
2. Make those involved in the prosecution and adjudication process aware of public interest about the outcomes of DWI/DUI cases;
3. Report information gathered by the program to relevant entities so the system can be improved.

Pilot Sites

• MADD is currently collecting data in Louisiana and New Mexico in small, medium and large jurisdictions.  Court Monitoring sends MADD volunteers trained in court procedures into the courtroom to observe all aspects of the criminal justice process this includes, observing cases and note the outcomes as well as observing judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and the defense.

• The program evaluates the courts by regular review of court proceedings, collection of court data and review of court records.