Drug Court Services

Recognizing the need for an alternative to prosecution and incarceration for first time drug offenders, the Sixteenth Circuit has implemented several Drug Court Programs. Modeled after nationally recognized drug courts, it offers a continuum of drug education and treatment alternatives. The court proceedings are unique in that they are non-adversarial in nature with a dedicated Drug Court Judge or Magistrate who oversees each participant’s progress and holds them accountable for their actions while receiving substance abuse treatment.

Drug Courts are court-supervised, comprehensive drug treatment courts for eligible non-violent defendants. The voluntary program involves numerous appearances before the Drug Court judge or magistrate, substance abuse treatment and frequent, random testing for substance abuse. Drug Courts exist to provide participants with the opportunity to become productive, drug free members of the community while increasing public safety and reducing crime in a cost-efficient manner.