Mandatory Drug Court to Become the Law in New Jersey

September 21, 2012

New Jersey's drug courts appear to work. Among drug offenders who finished a drug court program instead of going to prison, only 16 percent were arrested again in the following three years, and only eight percent were convicted again. In contrast, for those who went the traditional route and served jail time, 54 percent of drug offenders were arrested again within three years of their release from prison, and 43 percent were convicted of drug charges again.

At present, drug court is a voluntary option. Recently, though, a new law was approved and signed by the Governor of New Jersey that provides for mandatory sentencing to drug court for nonviolent drug offenders. The law will be phased in, a few counties at a time, over five years, with annual evaluations of the program's effectiveness. The government will evaluate repeat offense rates and costs, and compare statistics for counties where mandatory drug court has been phased in with those where it has not.

Drug courts for adults began in a few New Jersey counties in 1996. The programs developed so successfully, that by 2000 the Judicial Council recommended that drug courts be established across the state.

The goal of drug courts is to deal with substance abuse recovery directly, thus tackling the root problem underlying the crimes that substance abusers commit. Alleged offenders in the drug court program are assigned to a team of drug treatment professionals, substance abuse evaluators, probation officers, attorneys and court staff headed by a judge. Participants undergo closely supervised, rigorous treatment, with frequent drug testing. They must regularly appear in court and are subject to sanctions if they stray from the program. With so many professionals offering support, treatment has a better chance of success.

If you face drug crime charges, an attorney can provide more information about the drug court option and will work vigorously to protect your rights.

Article provided by Law Offices of John W. Tumelty
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