RALEIGH, N.C. — Old DWI cases that have been on the books for months, sometimes years, are finally getting a green light in the courtroom, thanks to a grant.

Wake County kicked off its DWI Court on Monday. The District Attorney's Office is starting with 166 cases that are more than a year old.

"It's not very efficient. It doesn't go to the ends of justice to let a case sit on the calendar -- whether it is a DWI or speeding ticket for a calendar year, especially if it is a misdemeanor in district court," assistant district attorney Adam Moyers said. "We want to wrap these things up as fast as possible and bring closure to any witnesses and officers and let people go on with their lives."

"I didn't like the way it turned out, but it is a lot better than the way it could have turmed. I'm just glad to get it behind me right now," said Christopher Watson, who was convicted of DWI in court.

Money for the court comes from a grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Commission. The grant pays for a district attorney, clerk and a judge. The DWI Court will be held three days a week for the next 15 months.