How to Find Out Results of a DUI Court
Newspapers and local television news stations may report on driving under the influence arrests, but they rarely monitor the course and and outcome of DUI cases as they make their way through the courts. However, Freedom of Information laws allow you to read police reports and case files, and most court proceedings are open to the public. Moreover, you are never required to disclose what your relationship, if any, is to the defendant, and you aren't required to provide a reason for requesting information.
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Instructions
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List the information that you already know about the case, which could include a date, location and the name of the person charged. Check local newspapers or your local library's newspaper archives to see if more details on the case were reported.
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Contact the police agency that originally handled the case. Officers there should at least be able to tell you which court handled the suspect's arraignment, though they may not know if the case remained in that court or it was transferred to a different court based on the level of the charge.
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Visit the court that handled the suspect's arraignment. The court clerk can confirm if the case continued in this court, or if it was handled elsewhere after an arraignment took place and the suspect's bail was set. According to America.gov, municipal or justice of the peace courts usually handle violation or misdemeanor level cases where the offenses are punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. However, DUI cases involving repeat offenses, casualties or injuries can be elevated to felony-level cases that would be handled in a county or district court.
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Request the case disposition from the appropriate court. If the case has been closed, this record would summarize the charges, a timeline of court appearances and the fine or penalty levied. If the case is not yet closed, the court clerk can still share court papers that document what actions have taken place so far and what future actions are scheduled.
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Tips & Warnings
Many counties have drug treatment courts and/or alcohol treatment courts. These programs are overseen by judges and require participants to maintain employment, refrain from drinking or drug use, avoid getting into additional trouble and to be present for all scheduled appointment with the judge. Some court proceedings may not be open to the public because the program is considered a treatment institution. However, there should be an available court record that notes whether the defendant was accepted into the program. There should also be a record that states if the defendant "graduated" from the program, or if he was jailed or brought up on additional charges for failing to meet program requirements.
If police agencies or courts ask for your information request in writing, include your contact information and specific information about the DUI case you are following, including the name of the suspect and the date or estimated date the person was charged.
References
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