Which Sentencing Options work best for Impaired Driving?
Research is needed on the extent to which these sentencing options are used and with what effect. A survey of Michigan judges found that the most frequently used sanctions for repeat offenders were driver’s license suspension (91.9 percent), probation (88.8 percent), fines (85.2 percent), outpatient counseling (83.3 percent), support groups (78.3 percent), mandatory jail (78.1 percent), and monitoring by testing for alcohol (77.1 percent).37 In a survey of the American Judges Association, monitoring by testing for alcohol, intensive supervision probation, and support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, were perceived to be most effective, along with mandatory jail time. Judges perceived suspended sentences and community service as least effective. A meta-analysis of 200 evaluations revealed that education alone can be effective with first-time offenders with low-blood-alcohol content. For first-time offenders with high-blood-alcohol content, education combined with counseling is effe
