First Ever National 24-7 DUI Conference To Be Held At Big Sky [YouTube]

The Attorney General’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol announced on Tuesday that they will host the first ever National 24/7 Sobriety Program Summit, September 13-15 in Big Sky.

Spokeswoman Anastasia Burton said the conference will draw participants from all over the country.

"The event will bring together leading industry experts and law enforcement officials to highlight and discuss all aspects of this award-winning sobriety program," Burton said. "The 24/7 Sobriety Program originated in South Dakota ten years ago and is based on a very simple premise:  A judge can order anyone accused of his or her second or subsequent DUI offense to submit to twice-daily alcohol breath tests or wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet as a condition of release prior to trial or as part of sentencing post-conviction.  The defendant must incur all costs associated with monitoring."

She said the program has proven to be more successful than anyone anticipated.

"Most Montanans live in counties where the 24/7 program is active," she said. "Currently, 23 Montana counties are enrolled.   Last year, a Rand Corporation study indicated that participation in the 24/7 program reduced the probability of DUI re-arrest in Montana by 45% to 70%."

Scheduled speakers include Judge Larry Long, founder of the 24/7 Sobriety Program; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Director Bill Watada; Attorney General Tim Fox; and Colonel Tom Butler, Chief Administrator of the Montana Highway Patrol.