What Happens In Drug Court?

Miami-Dade County was the first district in the United States to launch what is known as drug court nowadays. The program was launched in 1989, and over time, studies have established that having it as an option helps to reduce recidivism and save on costs. However, these types of statistics do little to explain what happens in drug court to a nervous defendant who has been accepted to the program. If your attorney has gotten you into drug court as an alternative to jail time, it is crucial that you understand what is required of you to succeed.

High Standards To Meet

If a defendant facing drug charges has been granted access to their district’s pretrial diversion programs, they will usually have to sign their name to a contract of sorts which spells out the treatment they are about to undergo – for example, a drug defendant might be ordered by the court to attend substance abuse counseling, while another person might be referred for anger management or the like. Not everyone is admitted to drug court – factors like a prior criminal record or the severity of the charges make a difference.

If you have been selected for this program, the court will, via the contract, spell out the nature of the program and the standards to which you will be held. The first part of the program is highly structured and supervised, with several court appearances and random drug testing, but over time, the structure is relaxed if the person shows they can handle it. The beginning of the program tends to focus on analyzing the aftermath of the crime; the later stages are more focused on preventing future relapses (and legal issues!).

Violations Are Costly

While it is generally true that studies show drug court improves outcomes for its participants in terms of recidivism and addiction, it is true that programs like this are not always best for every defendant. Despite the stringent standards of drug court being laid out for defendants, some simply cannot meet the burden – they may fail multiple drug tests or do something like travel without the court’s permission. If someone fails out of the drug court program, the most likely outcome for them is sentencing on their original charges, as if being in drug court had never happened.

Failure to complete the program can be costly both in terms of time and money, given that defendants are usually responsible for the financial costs of drug court. If a person completes a drug court program, they are likely (not guaranteed, but likely) to see their sentence altered – for example, their probation or jail time may be reduced or fines may be waived. The ultimate choice is up to the court, but completion of the program speaks well for an individual defendant.

Call A West Palm Beach Drug Crimes Attorney

Being charged with a drug offense can be life-changing for the average person. A West Palm Beach drug crimes attorney from the firm of Perlet & Shiner, P.A. has handled this type of case before, and can offer you the help you need to hopefully get a chance at a better outcome. Call our office today at (561) 721-0552 to speak to an attorney.

Source:

flcourts.gov/Services/Problem-Solving-Courts/problem-solving-court-types/drug-courts