Videos from each module can be found below. To view any video, simply click the "view now" link next to the module title. Please note, in order to view the videos, you will need a current version of Windows Media Player or Adobe Flash Viewer.
"Because the impact of DWI case on society, on the particular individuals involved, is greater than the most serious offenses on books." - Honorable Robert Pirraglia
"To me, DWI offenders are closely akin to a rattlesnake. They possess an ability to strike, and when they do they harm. Often times it's either themselves or other innocent victims who are driving." - Honorable Norman Kent Lawrence
"I think the thing that frustrates judges the most in the traditional system is that realization that there's just inadequate resources to deal with those folks." Honorable Peggy D. Davis
"Educate, educate, educate. If a judge has a good foundation in the understanding of the disease concept of chemical dependency, including alcohol dependency, then they are going to be a much better judge, not just on DWI cases, they're going to be a much better judge in all of the other types of cases they hear." - Honorable G. Michael Witte
"A meaningful sentence which breaks the repetitive cycle of drinking and driving. Traditional sentences have proven to be ineffective for the person who is dependent or addicted to alcohol or drugs." - Honorable Norman Kent Lawrence
"My short answer is no. Two questions I ask myself is number 1, 'Is it ethical?... Is it allowable by law?..." and if it is, then my next question is, 'Does it work?' As long as it's ethical and pursuant to law and most importantly it works, I'll use it. I don't care what the alternative is." - Honorable Robert Pirraglia
"There is a population of offenders...that 1st time offender who has just had a brush with the legal system, generally doesn't drink and drive, maybe a young college student who... made some poor choices at a party... that 1st brush in the criminal justice system may be enough to deter them because they've got the associated license suspension, the fines, the cost, the embarrassment of the DWI." Honorable Peggy D. Davis
"I bet after when they finish with your court, you've got spouses coming and saying, 'You know he or she is actually a different person now.' They're less likely to get angry,..[hit] kids when the shouldn't',..hit the spouse, or...not report to work... It effects families." - Honorable Robert Pirraglia
"Absolutely. The principles are just, principles. You don't need to have a 7 person or a nine person team to implement those principles. But what you are going to need is some staff person within the courts to assist the judge. The judge isn't going to be able to that all alone." - Hon. G. Michael Witte
"Not if you plan to adopt those procedures. But I think you've got to be very careful about making certain when you setup a specialized court, be it a DUI court or any other specialized court, that court rules be adopted that specifically outline your function and your role." - Hon. Robert Pirraglia
"No. A judge should never surrender or relinquish his or her judicial authority in a DWI court program. A judge is the person who placed the person in the program, accepted the person in the program, sentenced the person, and is responsible for all sanctions or actions taken against the offender while in the program. It would be highly improper for any judge to relinquish any decision making authority to any team member. To do so would be the judge abdicating his judicial responsibility under the code of ethics." - Hon. Norman Kent Lawrence
"Common sense. First, how often, how many times does a person repeat offend DUI. The fewer the people come back the more successful the application of sentences to first time offenders, that's success. Secondly, the number of new offenders. The more persons deterrent from becoming those new or first offenders, that's a measure of success. So reducing recidivism, limiting the number of new offenders." Hon. Robert Pirraglia
"We have a whole host of tools to use: urinalysis, SCRAM [bracelets],..also we have GPS systems to track persons where they are going,..house arrest ankle monitors..." Hon. G. Michael Witte
"A lot and every judge should because every study conducted indicates that any person who comes before you accused of DWI having .15 [% BAC] and above, that person is extremely, extremely likely to be afflicted with an alcohol addiction, with the disease, and if you don't recognize it early, factor it into sentencing, that person is going to come back in front of you again, this time maybe having been involved in a crash involving a death or serious injury." Hon. Robert Pirraglia
