ADULT DRUG COURT
WHAT IS DRUG COURT?
Drug Court is a specialized court designed to handle cases involving less serious drug-using offenders through supervision and a treatment program.
The program includes frequent drug-testing, case management, substance abuse counseling, residential treatment (inpatient, halfway house and ¾ housing), educational opportunities, judicial supervision and incremental rewards and punishment.
The judge is actively involved in supervising drug court offenders, more than just placing an individual in a probationary or diversionary program for drug treatment.
At any time during your participation, you can be terminated from the program by the Drug Court Judge for not complying with the rules, regulations and/or treatment plan, which may result in imprisonment.
F.I.S.T. ELIGIBILITY
The 15th JDC FIST Drug Treatment Court Program targets adult defendants. The following offenders are eligible for Drug Court:
All offenders who are admitted to the 15th JDC FIST Drug Court program are in accordance with the violent offenders prohibition as defined by Title I, Subchapter XII-J of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3796 ii et. Seq.
Non-violent probation eligible defendants convicted of felony drug charges and other non-violent criminal offenses that occurred while defendants were involved in or stemming from substance abuse.
The District Attorney’s Office conducts the initial screening to determine possible eligibility based on the above criteria. The assistant district attorney assigned to drug court reviews the arrest affidavits and checks criminal histories to determine eligibility. The assistant district attorney promptly advises the drug court program manager once he determines a defendant’s eligibility. The Clinical Supervisor conducts or assigns a counselor to conduct a screening to determine program suitability. The Substance Abuse Counselor promptly advises the defendant of the results, and requests a waiver of confidentiality in order to present that information to the prosecutor, defense attorney and program manager.
The prosecutor reviews each case and makes plea/participation offers in accordance with the district attorney’s policy. The FIST Drug Court program includes the following special conditions of probation:
Satisfactory completion of, and payment for, Drug Treatment/Education
Drug Testing (two random drug screens per week)
Drug Court Status Conferences (initially weekly)
100 hours of Community Service
Restitution (if appropriate)
GED (if appropriate)
Employment
Fine, Court Cost, IDO Fee, and Probation Supervision Fee (if appropriate)
The assistant district attorney shares the case information with the defense attorney. The defense attorney reviews the case file, then contacts the accused and explains the drug court treatment program to the defendant to determine if the offender wishes to plead guilty to the charges and be sentenced to the program. All participants volunteer to participate in the FIST Drug Court Program. The presiding judge makes the final decision on acceptance into the program.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the 15th Judicial District Adult Therapeutic Drug Court Program is to reduce criminal activity by getting the offender sober, employable, and employed while reducing problematic use of alcohol and other mood-altering substances, and paying a portion of the cost of their rehabilitation.
TARGET POPULATION
The Target population includes high risk/high need participants who are at risk for criminal recidivism, as well as other potential participants who can be treated safely and therapeutically, in a drug court program, pursuant to best practices.
PROGRAM GOALS
To improve public safety in our community by decreasing both drug use and recidivism.
To make a difference in the lives of non-violent, substance abusing offenders by combining intensive judicial supervision, mandatory drug testing, escalating sanctions, and treatment.
To establish a team approach where drug court judges work with prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, and drug treatment specialists to provide appropriate treatment for offenders, monitor their progress, and ensure the delivery of other services like education or job skills training that help offenders to remain crime and drug free.
To facilitate, where appropriate, the acquisition or enhancement of academic, vocational, employment, and pro-social skill development by the criminal offenders.
To provide graduated levels of negative sanctions and positive incentives for the offenders.
15th JDC F.I.S.T. Adult Drug Court Treatment Team
Judge Honorable Valerie Gotch Garrett
Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Neumann
Indigent Defender Scherri S. Guidry Nanette McClain
DOC Probation Danielle Heller
Adult Drug Court Program Coordinator Anita L. Levy allevy@15thjdc.org (337) 704-5323 (337) 258-8980
Case Manager Dana Daniel ddaniel@15thjdc.org (337) 704-5323
Morgan Wilson mwilson@15thjdc.org (337) 704-5323