A recently released report is touting the success of the decade old New Jersey drug court system. Many have long thought helping drug offenders rather than simply locking them up was the key to reducing recidivism and the new Department of Corrections report seems to support this.
According to A Model for Success: A Report on New Jersey’s Adult Drug Courts, recidivism has fallen quite dramatically over the past ten years among drug offenders. A 2001 report showed a 54{74bbbd36a4df8b83bd1805c8c4f34bcc3063e84848f392c2fd8bb03fcdaa883e} re-arrest rate after leaving prison. Now, however, three years after graduation from a N.J. drug court only 16{74bbbd36a4df8b83bd1805c8c4f34bcc3063e84848f392c2fd8bb03fcdaa883e} of graduates have been rearrested.
The drug courts don’t just punish someone for violating the law, they help a drug offender gain control of their life and drug habit to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Drug courts aren’t a walk in the park and require real effort and commitment to sobriety by those who are fortunate enough to have their cases handled there.
Participants are closely monitored for compliance and kept within a tightly structured recovery process. The Courts utilize a combination of many resources and actors within the criminal justice system including the judge, defense attorney, probation officers, treatment professionals, and prosecutors all working together for the participant’s success rather than looking out for individual interests.
New Jersey drug offenders may qualify for drug court participation by being ordered to a period of special probation, or by being assessed as having drug or alcohol dependence and having no violent criminal history and posing no danger to the community.
In other words, not every drug crime will be heard in these courts. They are intense and structured but they are beneficial to those who qualify.
If you’re charged with an offense that involved a firearm, you won’t likely be seen in drug court. Likewise if you have a history of domestic violence or even a mutual fight on your record, you could be disqualified.
However, if you are facing drug charges and this is your first offense or you admit to having a problem and needing treatment, you may qualify for drug court. This isn’t just about paying for a crime, it’s about wanting to change your life.
Contact me today if you are facing drug charges and are interested in learning more or are curious about your eligibility. Even if you would rather serve your jail time and move on without going through drug courts—I can help.
As a criminal defense attorney, it’s my job to represent your interests. Contact me today to discuss your case.