News Item
Ramsey County DWI Court celebrates 10-year anniversary

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2015

For the past 10 years, the Ramsey County DWI Court has worked to enhance public safety by reducing recidivism among repeat DWI offenders. In recognition of the program’s 10-year anniversary, court and county officials gathered at the Ramsey County Courthouse today to recognize the program’s success, and celebrate Minnesota’s oldest DWI Court program. The event featured remarks by Ramsey County DWI Court graduates, who credit the program with helping them receive the treatment and supervision they needed to stop the behavior that resulted in their repeat DWI offenses.

“When we started the Ramsey County DWI Court program, our focus was on tackling the very real danger of chronic drunk drivers,” said Second Judicial District Judge George T. Stephenson, who served as the first DWI Court judge in Ramsey County. “Over the past 10 years, we have seen this program transform the lives of many people who were stuck in a cycle of chemical abuse and repeat arrests. This has been a true community effort that has taken drunk drivers off the road and made our streets safer.”

Second Judicial District Judge George T. Stephenson speaks to the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Ramsey County DWI Court.
Second Judicial District Judge George T. Stephenson speaks to the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Ramsey County DWI Court.

The Ramsey County DWI Court, which is operated through Minnesota’s Second Judicial District, targets non-violent offenders who are charged with at least their third misdemeanor DWI offense. The program is designed to enhance public safety by holding repeat DWI offenders accountable through the use of technology, judicial supervision, chemical dependency treatment, intensive case management and supplemental services. The program functions with a team of criminal justice professionals, including the presiding judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, conditional release agent, case manager/probation officer, treatment provider, psychiatric nurse, MADD advocate, and program coordinator. The DWI Court also works with the St. Paul Police and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office for additional community supervision of participants.

Since Ramsey County established the state’s first DWI Court program in January 2005, Minnesota has added 12 additional DWI Courts, as well as seven Drug/DWI hybrid courts, across the state. In 2014, the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety funded a study by a national research firm that explored the effectiveness of the state’s DWI Courts. The evaluation, which examined the Ramsey County DWI Court and eight other similar programs, found that DWI Courts reduced recidivism among repeat DWI offenders and saved taxpayer dollars throughout the justice system.

According to the evaluation, repeat DWI offenders who completed the Ramsey County DWI Court program had re-arrest rates nearly 60% lower than similar offenders who experienced traditional court processes. Statewide, the DWI Courts included in the evaluation produced $1.4 million in cost savings for the state and local government agencies over two years.

The evaluation also found that the Ramsey County DWI Court has an average graduation rate of 71%, which is substantially higher than the national average of 57%. In total, 149 offenders have graduated from the program since its inception. Graduates typically spend between 16 and 18 months in the program, and average about 500 days of sobriety by the time they graduate.

Current Ramsey County DWI Court Judge Diane Alshouse presided over the event. In addition to Judge Stephenson, other speakers at the Ramsey County DWI Court 10-year anniversary celebration included:

  • Jessica McConaughey, Assistant St. Paul City Attorney and DWI Court Prosecutor
  • Michael Blair, Ramsey County DWI Court graduate (completed the program in 2008)
  • Lynn Schanks, Ramsey County DWI Court graduate (2011)
  • Michael “Mickey” Nehring, Ramsey County DWI Court graduate (2007)

Judge Diane Alshouse presides over the Ramsey County DWI Court.
Judge Diane Alshouse presides over the Ramsey County DWI Court.

More information on the Ramsey County DWI Court can be found here.

A copy of the recent DWI Court evaluation conducted on behalf of the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety can be found here.