NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsLong Waits In Court System For DUI Offenders

Long Waits In Court System For DUI Offenders

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Thousands in Davidson County are arrested each year for driving drunk, and as the numbers continue to rise so does the backlog of cases in the court system.

Every weekend, Metro police stop dozens of drunk drivers, and every week, the stack of DUI cases gets bigger and bigger. 

"I'd like to say there's a day looking for them, not finding any, now not the time," said Metro police officer Michael Dudley.

The last several years a grant has allowed Metro Police to put more officers on the street devoted to aggressive DUI enforcement. 

Just last year police arrested 5,328 drivers, a nearly 70 percent increase since 2004.

"I think caught the courts off guard with the volume of cases getting," said Dudley.

DUI cases often get bumped off the docket for more pressing homicide or rape cases. There is not a court devoted just to DUI's, and not enough judges to try the thousands of cases in the system. 

"All of us ideally would like cases to be handled quickly, longer it takes for the case to be handled the more likely out somebody forgets, witness leaves the police department goes to, and the offender is out on the street without any treatment," said Kyle Anderson with the District Attorney's Office.

The cases can take months even years before the case goes to court. In fact, there have been DUI cases where the driver gets another DUI arrest before the first one even goes to court. 

"It's very much a concern, don't know solution is would like to take their drivers license immediately, absolutely, would that keep them from driving, probably not," said Dudley.

Police and prosecutors are trying a variety of remedies, an overwhelming prospect in many ways they are glad to have.

"We'd like to see arrested, tried the next week, whether we'll get there, I don't know," said Dudley.

Last year two judges volunteered a few weeks to only hear DUI cases. It will continue this summer, and for the first time there will be a DUI docket.

Also, last month prosecutors adopted a new system where they are can quickly keep up with any additional arrests a DUI offender may have while their cases is still in the court system.  

Since the number of DUI arrests has increased dramatically, the number of fatalities has decreased dramatically. 

Police said this is proof the aggressive DUI arrests and prosecutions have helped save lives.