What is Adult Drug Court?
Adult Drug Court is a court supervised, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment program for individuals who are dependent on alcohol or drugs.
Is my case eligible for Adult Drug Court? Who can participate in Adult Drug Court?
Eligibility for Adult Drug Court is based upon a number of factors, including: (1) involvement in the criminal justice system (this includes both current charges as well as prior criminal history); (2) an identified alcohol or substance abuse disorder; (3) whether or not your charges (past and present) are of a violent nature; and (4) whether or not you have a history of drug sales or drug trafficking.
Individuals who have charges that constitute violence, or a history of violence may not be eligible to participate in drug court. This typically applies in cases involving sex offenses, arson, robbery, etc., because the existence of violence may prohibit these individuals from being accepted into community-based treatment programs.
Individuals who have a history of drug sales or drug trafficking may not be eligible to participate due to the risk associated with having individuals known for selling or trafficking drugs in treatment with other drug users who are working to maintain sobriety.
Although each of these factors are considered, no one factor will automatically disqualify an individual from participating in Adult Drug Court. Each applicant is reviewed on an individual basis. There may be other options for individuals who need close supervision but are not eligible for participating in Adult Drug Court.
What are the Program Requirements for Adult Drug Court?
Participating in Adult Drug Court requires a minimum 12-month commitment. In order to successfully complete the program, you must complete 52 clinical weeks of treatment. If you fail to attend or complete a week’s program requirements, you will not receive credit for the week – meaning the week will not count towards the 52 clinical weeks required to finish the program. Assuming that a person attends and completes the program requirements for 52 consecutive weeks, then he or she can complete the program in 12 months. For others who miss a week (or more) he or she will be required to redo any weeks or requirements that were missed. This can result in Adult Drug Court lasting more than 12 months.
During the program, participants will be subject to individualized treatment plans with program counselors, individual and group therapy as directed, monitored drug testing and weekly required court appearances. All participants will be drug tested four times per week at the start of the program. The frequency of drug testing and the number of required court appearances will lessen as participants progress through the program. However, drug court participants will continue to have mandatory court appearances and random drug tests throughout the duration of the program.
The important thing to know is that a failed drug test while in Adult Drug Court does not mean that you will be automatically removed from the program. Drug Court is treatment based, not punishment based. However, continued failed drug tests can result in removal from the program.
How much does Adult Drug Court Cost?
The exact costs for participating in Adult Drug Court varies depending on the specific needs of each individual. For example, some individuals may need assistance with obtaining stable housing. Other individuals may be placed on a SCRAM monitor in order to keep closer supervision on those who find it harder to avoid relapse. There are costs associated with these additional services. But, aside from these individual costs, the base fee for all participants is $1,500. This fee covers the costs of weekly meetings with program counselors and drug testing. Individuals who participate in Adult Drug Court do not have to pay upfront to start the program. You will have to pay for the costs before completing the program.
Other Facts to Know About Drug Court
All Adult Drug Court participants will be on mandatory house arrest for the first 30 days of the program. This requirement is not waivable, and failure to participate in, or any violation of the house arrest conditions can result in not being accepted into, or being removed from, the Adult Drug Court program. Violation of the mandatory house arrest conditions can also result in you being charged with additional felony offenses.
Adult Drug Court is not for every adult who has used drugs or has committed an offense while using drugs. Adult Drug Court is a long term, high intensity, close supervision program. Many offenders who use recreational drugs or have committed an offense while using alcohol (DUI) likely do not need Adult Drug Court. Studies have shown that forcing adults into this type of high-level intensity program can cause more harm than good. For low risk offenders, community-based treatment can be obtained through probation services.
You should also know that special considerations apply to individuals who are facing changes in Las Vegas as well as in other local municipalities such as North Las Vegas or Henderson. Pending charges in city court can prevent an applicant from being accepted into Adult Drug Court.
» Contact Us «
If you believe that you have a high risk, long term drug or alcohol problem that could be treated in Adult Drug Court, contact our office today. Our lawyers have the knowledge and skills to evaluate your case and get you into the program that best suits your needs. We can also help you resolve city charges that may stand in the way of you getting into the treatment that you need. Call us now at (702) 405-0001 to arrange a consultation.