Date of Posting: 01/24/2005
Feature: MSHP Pilots the DWI Tracking System

On January 24, 2005, the Missouri State Highway Patrol began use of the new DWI Tracking (and Traffic Arrest System) developed to provide the state with a comprehensive repository for DWI activity throughout the state.

This system was over 2 years in planning meetings, design, development, and testing. Its adoption will provide the state of Missouri with eligibility for expanded federal enforcement dollars in coming years.

The impact that this system will have is not yet known, but it is believed that they application will provide a number of important benefits.

Law Enforcement

State Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) will be able to quickly research an individual that is suspected of DWI. Unlike MULES queries, that simply provide past conviction data (sometime after the actual conviction has been received), this application will show all arrests for DWI for the individual in question. Having this information available to officers in the field will help them to get repeat offenders off the streets more quickly.

Prosecutors

Prosecutors are often misunderstood when it comes to DWI cases. In many cases, they will drop a charge in order to pursue a more significant charge. Previous tracking processes have done little to allow explanation of these conditions. The new DWI system will be able to show the entire process of prosecution and even allow prosecutors offices to enter explanations of changes in charges filed.

Courts

Court data will be included in the system completing the picture for every arrest. This will "close the loop" and ensure that all requests for statistical information from the various levels of law enforcement will yield the same consistent answers.