Citation

Salzberg PM, Klingberg CL. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Q. J. 1982; 4(1): 35-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, American Association for Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Washington State's Deferred Prosecution Law permits certain defendants to have a misdemeanor charge dismissed if the defendant successfully participates for two years in a treatment program for alcohol, drug, or mental problems. The law has been extensively applied in Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) cases. This study was designed to assess post-deferral driving performance for a sample of DWI offenders who participated in Deferred Prosecution as compared to a Control group of non-deferred DWI offenders. It was found that the Deferred group had significantly more post-deferral alcohol-related traffic violations than did the Control group. The findings indicate that the major objective of the law has not been accomplished.