APRI Highlights - Summer 2001

National Traffic Law Center

Marcia Cunningham, Acting Director

When prosecutors deal with challenges to the use of breath test instruments, blood tests, horizontal gaze nystagmus, crash reconstruction and other evidence, APRI's National Traffic Law Center (NTLC) can assist with technical and caselaw research. Likewise, when prosecutors field inquiries from community groups about getting impaired drivers off the road, NTLC can provide research and statistics concerning the effectiveness of administrative license revocation, ignition interlock systems, sobriety checkpoints and much more.

NTLC was created in 1992 in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Its mission is to improve the quality of justice in traffic safety adjudications. To increase prosecutors' awareness of highway safety issues, NTLC compiles, creates and disseminates legal and technical information and provides training and reference services. NTLC maintains a clearinghouse of resources including caselaw, legislation, research studies, training materials, trial documents and professional references related to impaired driving and vehicular homicide issues.

The professional staff at NTLC includes experienced trial attorneys and research staff. Assistance is provided in all areas of trial preparation, including methods to counter specific defenses. NTLC also facilitates direct exchange of information among prosecutors, judges and other criminal justice professionals in the field.

NTLC works closely with NHTSA and the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators to develop and deliver three prosecutor training programs: Prosecution of Driving While Under the Influence, Prosecuting the Drugged Driver and Lethal Weapon: DUI Homicide. Each course incorporates substantive legal presentations by faculty with skill building sessions where students participate in a mock trial. The students are critiqued and videotaped to assist in improving their trial skills. This year, NTLC will offer "Prosecuting the Drugged Driver" and "Lethal Weapon: DUI Homicide" at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Earlier this year, NTLC held a demonstration training of "Protecting Lives, Saving Futures" in Sacramento, California. This new, multi-disciplinary program for prosecutors and police officers was developed by NTLC and focuses on the detection, apprehension and prosecution of impaired drivers. The program also contains information on youthful impaired drivers and drugged drivers. NTLC is seeking funds to support additional demonstrations of this innovative program in other states throughout the country.

For more information about APRI's National Traffic Law Center, please contact trafficlaw@ndaa-apri.org.