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Analysis of the Impact of ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Project) on the Traffic Safety System in Columbus, Georgia From January, 1972 - December, 1974 - Section 2, Volume 4

NCJ Number
74546
Author(s)
C W Peek; J M Hudson; E V Milton; R Seller
Date Published
1979
Length
107 pages
Annotation
The operations of Georgia's Columbus-Muscogee County court system are described, and the impact of the Columbus, Georgia Alcohol Safety Action Profect (ASAP), on the court system from January 1972 through December 1974 is discussed.
Abstract
The procedures, dispositions, and sanctions imposed by the recorder's court and by the State court for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUI), are reviewed. A discussion of ASAP-initiated court procedures focuses on three procedures which facilitated the development of alternative sentences for the court system. These procedures include a classification system which screens DUI offenders to gain perspective on the severity of their drinking problem, development of the means which make this information available to the recorder or State court judges at the time of sentencing, and presentence investigations (PSIs). A comparison is made of the typical route to final disposition of a DUI charge in recorder's court and State court. Distribution analysis employees the chi-square test to detect significant changes over the operational period of the Columbus ASAP. The distributions factors include arrest, plea, disposition, sanction, referral by year, race, sex, age, blood, alcohol content and occupation. The results confirm an unquestionable impact of ASAP on the court system regarding establishment of sentencing alternatives and efficient recordkeeping procedures. However, less was achieved in the areas of referral activity, PSIs, and background investigations. Two figures, 56 tables, and explanatory footnotes accompany the text. For related information on the Columbus ASAP, see NCJRS 74549.