What is the purpose of this program?
This program is designed to address common issues in a criminal trial and issues unique to DWI through a DWI trial simulation. Judges have an opportunity to make procedural and legal decisions in a situation similar to what they will deal with in everyday life, and thus gain experience in the (virtual) courtroom.

What is the Interactive DWI Trial?
It is a simulated DWI trial using video testimony where you, the user, are the judge. You will read or listen to the testimony, rule on objections, and when the testimony is over, you will make a judgment on the charge or charges. Then you will sentence the defendant on each charge. After sentencing you will receive helpful feedback on all of your rulings, judgment, and sentence. It will take approximately 30 minutes to an hour to go through the trial.

What judges should use this program?
This DWI trial is designed for magistrate, metropolitan and municipal court judges. Although the trial is held in state court and based on state law, municipal judges will find that the issues and procedures are similar to DWI trials based on municipal ordinances. In handling a real DWI case, municipal judges should be sure to check their local ordinances for any variations that might exist in the municipality.

This project was made possible through funding from the Traffic Safety Bureau of the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department. The Rozier E. Sanchez Judicial Education Center of New Mexico gratefully acknowledges the support of this agency.