1. From 2005 to 2006, 22 states in the U.S. saw an increase in fatal DUI-involved crashes. Nevada was:
A. Of course, one of the 22.
B. Surprisingly, one of the celebratory 28.
C. A non-participant in the National Highway Patrol survey.
2. In Nevada, a felony is assessed, and a prison sentence of one to six years is passed down, to a person who has been caught driving under the influence (DUI) how many times?
A. Just once.
B. Two times within a five-year span.
C. Three times within a seven-year span.
D. Four times, irrespective of time.
3. Clark County’s brand new DUI court, which stems from the District Attorney’s Serious Offenders Program, was codified by legislature this past summer because:
A. Between Metro and the NHP alone, there were 6,571 DUI arrests made in 2005.
B. One-third of all DUI arrests are repeat offenders.
C. The time span between arrest and sentencing for a DUI offender, during which he or she is out of custody, can sometimes exceed two full years.
D. Chronic drinkers need both monitoring and treatment.
E. All of the above.
4. Who’s eligible for the program?
A. Anyone who has been convicted of a DUI charge.
B. Anyone who has pleaded guilty to three DUI charges in the past seven years, wherein no harm was ever done.
C. Anyone who has been convicted of a DUI charge in which someone was harmed.
D. Anyone who has pleaded guilty to three DUI charges in the past seven years, wherein harm was done in at least one incident.
5. In the program, offenders receive which of the following to address their problem:
A. A severe shock, from an electronic sensor embedded in their brain, any time they think about alcohol.
B. Probation.
C. Minimal prison time, with conjugal visits.
D. Long-term substance-abuse treatment, intensive supervision, counseling and regular check-ups in DUI court with District Judge Kathy Hardcastle.
6. Why it’s beneficial to offenders:
A. Will receive help with their drinking problems.
B. Felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor at program’s completion.
C. Will retain their freedom, as program is an alternative to jail.
D. All of the above.
7. How many active participants does the program claim?
A. Half the state’s population.
B. 171.
C. 1,171.
D. 17, 710.
8. For how many DUI arrests do those offenders account?
A. 1,171.
B. This is Nevada, and that’s not public information, sir.
C. 742.
D. 502.
9. Of the state’s total prison population, 12,700, how many are in for DUIs?
A. 1,270.
B. Three-quarters.
C. 457.
D. 1,641.
10. Thus far, it seems the program has been a laudable success. What’s the evidence?
A. The District Attorney’s office said so.
B. The Las Vegas Weekly said so.
C. Recidivism rates are down, prison money and space has been freed up, and the implacable anti-DUI activists approve of the program.
D. Graduates are, reportedly, recruiting new participants, even if they don’t have three DUI cases to their names.
11. From where does the money come to pay for this innovative program?
A. The Nevada Department of Corrections.
B. Sheriff Gillespie’s pension.
C. You, the taxpayer.
D. The offenders themselves.
12. This is now the fourth specialty court in Clark County for chronic offenders. The other three are:
A. Domestic abuse, drug and mental health.
B. Being homeless, smut-peddling and graffiti.
C. Drug, mental health and juvenile prostitution.
D. People’s Court, Judge Judy and Judge Hatchett.
Answer key:
1. A: DUI fatalities increased by 10 percent. 2. C 3. E: The program is an innovative approach to a resilient problem. 4. B: Those who do harm usually do time. 5. D: Offenders are given at least six months of house arrest, breath ignition interlock devices for their cars, home monitoring cameras and, if they relapse, either jail time or a new start on the program. 6. D: The state has seemed to recognize that these chronic drinkers need the help of treatment more than the punishment of prison. 7. B: Which means it’s a packed courthouse every Thursday, when offenders convene in front of Judge Hardcastle. 8. C 9. A 10. C: Recidivism for graduates hovers around 12 percent, which is half of that for those outside the program, the DA estimates $500,000 a year saved on prison costs, and the program has been well-embraced by the community. 11. D: The offender, on average, pays $11,000 for his or her own rehabilitation. 12. C.