What is Drug Court?

 Posted on March 28, 2017 in Drug Charges

If you have been charged with a crime that is related to a drug or alcohol addiction, you have options beyond serving jail time. Depending on the circumstances of your case, drug court may be a suitable choice for you.

Drug Court Basics

Drug court provides a tool for people suffering from addiction who have been accused of nonviolent crimes. Upon successful completion of the program, the participant will not have to serve jail time.

Following application, which includes a substance abuse assessment, an accepted participant will undergo counseling, drug screens, treatment, and rehabilitation. The participant will also be subject to regular court monitoring.

Who Qualifies for Drug Court?

Drug court is often a good choice for people facing jail time, which is usually the case for those accused of a second or third offense or a serious first offense.

There are strict eligibility requirements set by each county. General requirements include that the applicant must:

• Be a citizen or legal resident;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be an addict with a history alcohol or drug abuse;
• Resolve all cases pending in other jurisdictions; and
• Include all charges in the county of the drug court.

Additionally, the applicant must admit that he or she has an addiction problem and cannot be accused of a crime of violence. An applicant cannot have been convicted of a crime of violence in the last 10 years.

Why is Drug Court Offered?

Many counties have realized that putting a person in prison for a crime caused by addiction is not productive because it does not address the root of the problem. Also, many drug rehabilitation centers are expensive and unaffordable to those suffering from addiction.

Drug court can be a wonderful tool for those committed to making a change in their lives. Addiction is a difficult condition to overcome, but the experts working in drug court help those accused of crimes stay away from drugs and alcohol every day.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Drug Court Lawyer

The DuPage County, IL drug crimes attorneys at our firm aggressively represent those charged with drug crimes. If drug court is a good fit for you, we will advocate for this option on your behalf.

It is important that your lawyer request drug court as it is not automatically considered and there is a lengthy application process with pre-requisites.

Call Davi Law Group, LLC at 630-580-6373 to meet with a lawyer at one of our office locations that serve DuPage, Kane, Cook, Kendall and Will counties.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2014&ChapterID=55

https://www.dupageco.org/Courts/Drug_Court/2215/