In developing eligibility criteria drug court teams should take into consideration the following factors: A process to consider the inclusion of serious and repeat (i.e., 1st and 2nd degree controlled substance offense) non-violent offenders. A provision to evaluate mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the current or prior offenses Careful examination of the circumstances of juvenile adjudications and the age of the participant at the time of the offense The age of prior disqualifying offenses Should the mental health capacity of the individual be in question, a mental health assessment should be administered to deem the individual mentally stable enough to participate in the drug court. Additionally, if a co-occurring disorder exists, the drug court should be able to advocate for and access adequate services. STANDARD FOUR A coordinated strategy shall govern responses of the drug court team to each participant’s performance and progress, and include: Regular drug court team meetings for pre-court staffings and court reviews to monitor each participant’s performance. Ongoing communication among the court, probation officer and/or case manager, and treatment providers, including frequent exchanges of timely and accurate information about the individual participant's overall performance. Progression by participants through the drug court based upon the individual’s progress in the treatment plan and compliance with court requirements; drug court phases and an individual’s progress through those phases are not to be based solely upon pre-set court timelines. Responses to compliance and noncompliance (including criteria for termination) explained orally and provided in writing to drug court participants during their orientation. Recommended Practices Having a significant number of drug court participants appear at a single session gives the opportunity to educate both the participant at the bench and those waiting as to the benefits of court compliance and consequences for noncompliance. Mechanisms for sharing decision-making and resolving conflicts among drug court team members should be established, emphasizing professional integrity and accountability.
In developing eligibility criteria drug court teams should take into consideration the following factors: A process to consider the inclusion of serious and repeat (i.e., 1st and 2nd degree controlled substance offense) non-violent offenders. A provision to evaluate mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the current or prior offenses Careful examination of the circumstances of juvenile adjudications and the age of the participant at the time of the offense The age of prior disqualifying offenses Should the mental health capacity of the individual be in question, a mental health assessment should be administered to deem the individual mentally stable enough to participate in the drug court. Additionally, if a co-occurring disorder exists, the drug court should be able to advocate for and access adequate services. STANDARD FOUR A coordinated strategy shall govern responses of the drug court team to each participant’s performance and progress, and include: Regular drug court team meetings for pre-court staffings and court reviews to monitor each participant’s performance. Ongoing communication among the court, probation officer and/or case manager, and treatment providers, including frequent exchanges of timely and accurate information about the individual participant's overall performance. Progression by participants through the drug court based upon the individual’s progress in the treatment plan and compliance with court requirements; drug court phases and an individual’s progress through those phases are not to be based solely upon pre-set court timelines. Responses to compliance and noncompliance (including criteria for termination) explained orally and provided in writing to drug court participants during their orientation. Recommended Practices Having a significant number of drug court participants appear at a single session gives the opportunity to educate both the participant at the bench and those waiting as to the benefits of court compliance and consequences for noncompliance. Mechanisms for sharing decision-making and resolving conflicts among drug court team members should be established, emphasizing professional integrity and accountability.
Offender_Drug_Court_Standards_-_031109.docx