Policy Research Shop Testimony: April 26, 2010

Driving While Intoxicated Testimony

On April 26th, 2010, a team of students from the Rockefeller Center’s Policy Research Shop testified before the New Hampshire DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) Commission. The Commission, chaired by Representative William Butynski, is comprised of representatives from New Hampshire's Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches. The PRS students, Alicia Modeen ’10, Elisabeth Ericson ’11, and Brian Freeman ’11, presented their findings about options for structuring programs and processes for repeat DWI offenders. The students collected and analyzed information about other states’ policies and the latest peer reviewed research concerning screening, assessment, punishment, treatment, and new technology to reduce recidivism.

Their findings are reflected in the Policy Research Shop brief, “DWI Repeat Offenders in the Criminal Justice System: National Trends and Policy Options for New Hampshire.” The team made a 30-minute presentation and then ably answered challenging questions for another 30 minutes. Their research will help New Hampshire restructure its DWI multiple offender practices.