Welcome - The Impaired Driving Case: A Judge's Guide from Roadside to Courtroom

The Impaired Driving Case: A Judge's Guide from Roadside to Courtroom is a FREE course for new judges.

Priority will be given to judges with fewer than five years on the bench, recognizing that early career judges have a particular need for specialized education as they develop their judicial knowledge, skills, and confidence in handling impaired driving cases.

Impaired-driving cases present new judges with unique challenges that extend beyond the elements of the offense. From understanding the science of alcohol and drug impairment to evaluating evidence, recognizing high-risk offenders, imposing effective sentences, and overseeing compliance, judges play a critical role in protecting public safety and reducing repeat impaired driving. This program provides new judges with a practical foundation for handling impaired-driving cases. It will explore the evolution of impaired-driving enforcement, current trends in alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, toxicology basics, understanding the DRE protocol, common evidentiary issues, offender risk and needs, sentencing and supervision options, and the use of evidence-based interventions and technology.