What is Adult Drug Court?

Adult Drug Court addresses the cause of the criminal activity (addiction to drugs) and decreases the likelihood of a return to that criminal activity.

Through a strict and disciplined rehabilitation program, participants are given a chance to recover from the addiction that led to their crime and build a new life in recovery; to find a better quality of life for the individual and the community.

It is a win/win situation for all involved. The addict gets a chance for a new life. The law is enforced. The cost to the taxpayer is reduced while maintaining public safety.

Drug Court has proven to reduce return to criminal activity (recidivism).  The program can change an addict from criminal to taxpaying citizen.

Program Requirements:

• Defendants must plead guilty and be sentenced by a Circuit Court Judge.
• The sentence is held open until completion of the Drug Court program.
• Drug Court participants are required to pay an application fee of $100 before being accepted into the program; and while in the program, the participant must pay $30/weekly to the treatment provider.
• Upon successful completion of Drug Court, the participant will appear back in front of the Circuit Court Judge for the sentence to be satisfied.
• Unsuccessful termination from the program leads to the sentence being activated.

Treatment guidelines and steps:

• The Fourth Judicial Circuit contracts with certified agencies in the perspective county to provide treatment.
• The program is divided into 4 phases:
  • Phase 1: 16 weeks- group counseling 3x/weekly
  • Phase 2: 16 weeks- group counseling 2x/weekly
  • Phase 3: 16 weeks- group counseling 1x/week
  • Phase 4: 4 weeks- probationary period before completing the program
• All phases of the program include drug screens 2 to 3 times weekly per participant
• All phases are required to attend group sessions weekly with the treatment provider
• All phases require case management once monthly
• All phases require the participant to attend 2 support group meetings once weekly
• The participant must remain employed full-time during participation or actively seeking employment
• All fines and restitution before completion
• The participant must have completed one full year of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs before completion
• If the participant does not have a High School diploma or GED, one must be obtained prior to completion

Who is eligible?

• Criminal activity must be related to the addiction
• No violent crimes are eligible; “violent” is defined as causing harm or injury to persons and/or use of deadly weapons.
• Must be referred by the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case
• Must have clinical diagnosis of addiction per assessment completed by the treatment/clinical counselor.
• Prior violent offenders and dual diagnosis persons may be eligible on a case by case basis; each requires further psychological evaluation.