Green Valley Justice Court’s novel approach to DUI cases

by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Press release from Justice Ray Carroll at the Green Valley Justice Court, via Program Mgr. Joe Ferguson, former Constable:

“Between a significant change to Arizona law and a staggering rise in post-pandemic impaired driving while under the influence of alcohol charges, the Green Valley Justice Court is taking the responsibility to launch a first-time Driving Under the Influence (DUI) program that will reduce recidivism and promote recovery. Changes to the Arizona Revised Statutes will now allow this type of court to shepherd selected participants through a rigorous treatment plan and upon successful completion of the program will be given a reduced charge of reckless driving.

“If the program blooms and grows depends upon a charter year review filled with quantifiable case studies showing it made a difference. The program can succeed by defendants making a clean start with drug and alcohol counseling appointments including testing and monitoring weekly,” said Justice of the Peace Raymond Carroll.

The treatment court will be available to defendants who are on their first-time DUI and have no aggravating factors, are residents of Pima County and do not have any violent criminal convictions in their past. Participants will be required to participate in a 6 to 12-month long program of individualized therapy appointments, group therapy, regular alcohol and drug testing, and bi-weekly check-ins with Judge Carroll.

Participants in the program will also be required to pay all costs related to court-ordered treatment and testing.

While Arizona does have a similar DUI Court in another part of the state, this pilot program is pre-adjudicated – which gives a second chance to first time offenders who qualify for the program.

DUI criminal convictions can often lead to license revocation, increased insurance premiums and a permanent criminal record that can impact future employment opportunities and your quality of life. 

“I see first-hand how people who come before the court struggle after a DUI conviction. For some, it takes years to pay off their fees and fines and some have a difficult time trying to find meaningful work,” Carroll said.

The Green Valley DUI Treatment Court follows the research-driven best practices laid out by the National Center for DWI Courts.

The national organization cites numerous independent third-party evaluations of DUI courts across the country that prove that the courts save lives and make the community safer as graduates from the DUI Courts are less likely to get another DUI.

“Green Valley Court has been an innovative Court for Southern Arizona,” says Charlene Pesquiera, the Presiding Judge of Pima County Consolidated Justice Court.  “I am proud of the hard work and commitment of the Green Valley Court and because of their dedication, the community will now have another option towards a successful path.”

The Pima County Attorney’s Office participates in all specialty courts and runs two diversion programs in the court system, the Consolidated Misdemeanor Problem Solving “Compass” Court, and the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP) program. Research continues to prove that alternatives to incarceration when treatment is included cuts against the crime rate at a highly reduced cost to the taxpayer.

“Now is absolutely the time to follow the data and scientific best practices when dealing with increases in criminal charges due to intense stress, substance use disorder, and alcoholism, says Pima County Attorney Laura Conover. “Now more than ever, we must come together as a whole system of justice to promote community health and safety.  We applaud Green Valley for their tenacity and determination.”

The DUI Treatment Court in Green Valley adds to the growing list of problem-solving courts in Pima County. “

 

Carolyn’s note:  Justice Carroll has served there in Precinct 7 since he was appointed in 2017, elected in 2018, re-elected in 2022.  Joe  Ferguson is a former AZ Daily Star reporter and now works as the Program Manager at the GV Justice Court, after serving as a Pima County Constable in Precinct 9, as a Democrat.   Republican Carroll was the District 4 Pima County Supervisor for almost 20 years.

Info on GV Justice Court: https://www.pima.gov/876/Justice-Court-Green-Valley