A Study of Outstanding DWI Warrants

Wiliszowski, Connie H.; Rodriguez-Iglesias, C. E.; Lacey, John H.; Jones, R. K. (Ralph K.); Cyr, Elizabeth · 2001 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This study, conducted by the Mid-America Research Institute for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), investigates the prevalence and management of outstanding warrants for individuals charged or convicted of driving while impaired (DWI) who have failed to appear in court (FTA) or failed to comply with sanctions (FTC). The research was motivated by concerns that a significant number of offenders exploit loopholes in the adjudication system, thereby undermining deterrence efforts and public safety. The primary objectives were to quantify the nature and extent of the outstanding DWI warrant problem and to identify promising strategies jurisdictions use to minimize these issues. The methodology combined focus groups with anti-DWI system personnel, site studies across 19 jurisdictions nationwide, and in-depth reviews of three innovative programs: the STOP-DWI program in Chemung County, New York; the P.L.E.A.D.D. patrols in Pierce County, Washington; and the Warrant Officer Program in Hancock County, Indiana. Researchers attempted to collect data from over 100 sites, though participation was limited by data availability and jurisdictional reluctance. The study analyzed arrest records, warrant databases, and local enforcement policies to assess how different regions handle absconders and defaulters. The findings reveal a widespread inability to accurately quantify the problem due to fragmented data systems and limited resources. Many jurisdictions lacked databases capable of tracking FTA/FTC behaviors, or records were purged upon offender contact, obscuring the true scale of outstanding warrants. Law enforcement agencies frequently deprioritized DWI warrants in favor of violent crimes due to budget and personnel constraints. Additionally, some courts utilized administrative categories like "order-ins" to clear dockets without issuing enforceable warrants, effectively allowing offenders to evade sanctions. The study estimated that millions of outstanding DWI warrants may exist nationwide, representing a significant failure in the traffic law system. The report concludes that addressing this issue requires localized, systemic changes rather than a one-size-fits-all federal solution. Key recommendations include establishing integrated data systems linking law enforcement, courts, and probation agencies; providing financial incentives to law enforcement for serving warrants; and utilizing publicity to pressure defaulters. The authors argue that without proper identification and resource allocation, DWI cases will continue to be neglected, allowing impaired drivers to remain on the roads and rendering the legal system less effective. The study serves as a foundational step in highlighting the need for jurisdictions to actively manage outstanding warrants to ensure compliance and public safety.

Key finding

A widespread lack of resources and data systems makes it difficult to quantify the numbers of outstanding warrants related to DWI offenses and devise solutions.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 19

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• dui enforcement