Tammarion
07-03-2006, 05:33 AM
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/14943993.htm
The judge is James Dehn. In an Isanti County courtroom in Cambridge, he has developed a way to reach the state's most dangerous drunken drivers — and cut their repeat offenses in half. His methods are becoming more common in Minnesota and are gaining interest nationwide.
"It's about treating them like human beings," Dehn said.
He dispenses justice on the installment plan. Instead of giving drunken drivers a traditional jail sentence, he spreads that sentence out over years, jailing them in July and December.
Before each jail term, drivers must appear in court. If they can convince Dehn they've been sober, employed and otherwise reformed, he can allow them to skip the month in jail — until the next time.
That extra vigilance — and understanding the unique psychology of the crime — is the key to Dehn's success.
In a field where even slight reductions are celebrated, experts find the reduction of 50 percent eye-popping.
"There is no way not to like this," said Dean Grau, a part-time public defender in Pine County and criminal defense attorney who has worked with Dehn.
Since Dehn started staggered sentencing in 1998, the idea has thrived. In Minnesota, one-third of the state's roughly 300 district judges have used it.
He teaches staggered sentencing to judges at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev., and the Minnesota Judicial College. He has won awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the national Foundation for Improvement of Justice, as well as the Outstanding Judge Award from the state district judges' association.
The judge is James Dehn. In an Isanti County courtroom in Cambridge, he has developed a way to reach the state's most dangerous drunken drivers — and cut their repeat offenses in half. His methods are becoming more common in Minnesota and are gaining interest nationwide.
"It's about treating them like human beings," Dehn said.
He dispenses justice on the installment plan. Instead of giving drunken drivers a traditional jail sentence, he spreads that sentence out over years, jailing them in July and December.
Before each jail term, drivers must appear in court. If they can convince Dehn they've been sober, employed and otherwise reformed, he can allow them to skip the month in jail — until the next time.
That extra vigilance — and understanding the unique psychology of the crime — is the key to Dehn's success.
In a field where even slight reductions are celebrated, experts find the reduction of 50 percent eye-popping.
"There is no way not to like this," said Dean Grau, a part-time public defender in Pine County and criminal defense attorney who has worked with Dehn.
Since Dehn started staggered sentencing in 1998, the idea has thrived. In Minnesota, one-third of the state's roughly 300 district judges have used it.
He teaches staggered sentencing to judges at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev., and the Minnesota Judicial College. He has won awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the national Foundation for Improvement of Justice, as well as the Outstanding Judge Award from the state district judges' association.