Douglas County Drug Court FAQ
Drug courts are judicially supervised court dockets that provide an alternative to incarceration, consisting of treatment combined with intensive supervision for people living with serious substance use disorders. Drug courts are problem-solving courts that take a public health approach using a specialized model in which the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, social service, and treatment communities work together to help addicted offenders into long-term recovery
You can apply for consideration by filling out a Referral Form from the District Attorney’s Website. There are two kinds of referral forms: one to be submitted by defense counsel and a general referral form that can be filled out by other party referrals. All referral forms are submitted to the following email address: dadrugcourt@douglascountyks.org
Defendants will be assessed and the team will set up an individualized treatment plan, based on defendants’ needs and program criteria. Defendants will have regular urine tests, supervision meetings and court appearances. The Court and Team exercise a great deal of discretion and flexibility in tailoring treatment plans, working through barriers in their daily life and optimizing the resources to allow for the best chance of success for each person in the program.
The program duration is roughly 14 months but some clients take longer due to failure to meet phase requirements. Your duration in the program and in each phase truly depends on your compliance within the Drug Court Program.
Treatment is required in drug court. A participant can go to detox, outpatient treatment, or residential treatment. The level of treatment is based on the participant’s clinical needs for recovery
Urine drug testing is one of the ways that the drug court team helps a participant in their recovery. Drug tests can be taken at treatment, at adult services office, at court and in custody. As a participant you will be required to call a daily random drug test line to determine if you pin number is selected. If your pin number is selected, then you must report that day for a urine test.
Participants are required to attend self-help meetings. A participant can go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, Smart Recovery and or other self- help meetings.
Yes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with treatment.
The drug court team will work with each participant to get employment, education, or both. Many participants have their driver’s license returned, and work to take care of outstanding fines/debts.
Those who successfully complete the program will have their plea of guilty withdrawn and their criminal charges dismissed. This is a significant benefit for future employment and for career opportunities. More importantly, participants who have a sincere desire to get off drugs are offered the opportunity for treatment, the opportunity to avoid further problems with the law and the opportunity to improve their wellbeing (and shake free of life consuming troubles caused by substance abuse).
If clients consistently fail to comply with Program requirements, the Court can remove a client and proceed with sentencing. The judge and team work hard to find a way for treatment to work and participants to succeed.
We ask graduates to participate in a post-graduation follow-up study including a background check, letters, phone calls, questionnaires, possible speaking engagement opportunities and alumni group opportunities.
Four phases, consisting of stabilization (approx. 2 ¼ months), acceptance (approx. 3 months), change (approx. 4.59 months), and maintenance (approx. 4.59 months) for a total of 14 months.
You will have a hearing to enter a guilty plea and agree to postpone sentencing, you will waive your right to a speedy trial, sign the participant contract and plea advisory, agree to an order of supervision including searches without a warrant and random drug and alcohol testing, and sign a confidentiality waiver.
Court appearances will depend on what phase you are in. Phase I will be weekly, Phase II will be biweekly, Phase III and Phase IV will be once a month.
Drug Court judge, District Attorney’s office, Adult Services Officer, Treatment providers, Law enforcement liaison, and defense attorneys assigned to drug court.