| A DWI Panel is a forum where victims of drunken | | | | you need to do to receive credit for attending is to |
| driving accidents share their stories with audiences | | | | listen politely to the speakers and give them your full |
| composed of DWI offenders and other interested | | | | attention. You will not be speaking, but instead you will |
| community members. | | | | be listening. While listening to the panel speakers, it is |
| The stories told by the victims of DWI accidents are | | | | often helpful to reflect on your own experience with |
| often quite emotional. Some presenters will tell of the | | | | drinking and driving. This will help you get the most out |
| loss of a close family member such as a son, | | | | of attending a panel. At the end of the panel |
| daughter, brother or sister in a DWI related accident. | | | | presentation, attendees are asked to fill out a short |
| Some presenters will describe injures to themselves | | | | anonymous survey to give feedback to the |
| caused by the impaired driving of others. Some will | | | | presenters. |
| have a short video presentation to accompany their | | | | If you are required to attend a DWI panel, it is very |
| story, in addition to pictures of their lost family member. | | | | important to arrive on time, before the start of the |
| The court requires DWI offenders to attend the panel | | | | panel. Panels do not allow late entry and will not give |
| so that they can hear firsthand the devastating | | | | credit for partial attendance. The typical length of a |
| effects of impaired driving on their community. It is very | | | | panel is 1-2 hours, and admission costs can range from |
| important to know that these panels are not meant to | | | | $20 to $60 depending and panel operator. Most panels |
| be judgmental or confrontational. They are simply there | | | | will also allow you to bring a guest without an |
| to help the DWI offender understand the real life | | | | admission charge, but before going check with the |
| consequences of drinking and driving. Presenters do | | | | panel operator to be sure. After completion, the panel |
| not place blame on the audience or make accusations. | | | | operator will typically inform the court that you have |
| They tell their stores with the sincere hope that | | | | successfully completed this requirement, but it's always |
| audience members will be inspired to never drink and | | | | a good idea to request an additional receipt for your |
| drive again. | | | | own records. |
| So if you are ordered to attend a panel, the only thing | | | | |