|
The Harford County Adult Drug Court Program has been in operation in
the District Court for Harford County since November of 1997. The program
offers and alternative to the traditional methods of handling cases
by providing eligible defendants with drug education, individual
counseling, group counseling, family counseling and other social
services, including vocational and educational services, while under
close judicial scrutiny. In contrast with traditional case
processing, the judge, prosecutor, public defender/private attorney,
probation officer and treatment provider work collaboratively in a
non-adversarial manner to encourage the defendant's success in the
program.
The Adult Drug Court is held in the District Court for Harford
County on the second and fourth Monday of each month. A defendant
who voluntarily enters the program does so by way of guilty plea.
The verdict is then held sub curia while the defendant participates
in the program. A probation before judgment is granted at graduation
when the defendant successfully complete the program. A defendant
who maintains abstinence, completes all assignments in a timely
manner, and attends all court dates, probation appointments and
counseling sessions, may be eligible for a not guilty finding. Not
guilty findings are given at the discretion of the Drug Court Judge
after completion of a minimum three-month probationary period
subsequent to graduation and upon the nomination of the probation
officer, treatment provider and prosecutor.
Who is Eligible?
The State's Attorney's Office has designed a specific Drug Court
Prosecutor who screens all incoming drug possession cases. The
following criteria must be met in order for the defendant to be
offered the Drug Court Program.
The defendant is a Harford County resident. (Upon request and with
the approval of the probation officer, a defendant who lives close
to the county line may be approved for the program.)
The defendant must have no prior record, or contact with the
criminal justice system must be nominal with no convictions or
probation before judgments in the recent past.
The defendant must be non-violent.
The defendant must not be on active probation.
The case must be within the jurisdiction of the District Court for
Harford County.
In addition to the drug possession cases regularly screened by the
State's Attorney's Office, other cases within the jurisdiction of
the District Court for Harford county can be referred to the Drug
Court Prosecutor for program consideration. Cases that are
appropriate for screening referral include charges in which the
defendant was either under the influence of a controlled dangerous
substance or alcohol at the time the crime was committed, or cases
in which the motivating factor for the crime is addiction related.
Drunk and drugged driving offenses may be considered for the
program. However, such charges are not eligible for a finding of not
guilty. Further, upon request, the Drug Court Prosecutor will
consider offering the program to a defendant with a prior record.
In such a case, a negotiated plea as a suspended sentence or reduced
jail time is the recommended disposition upon graduation from the
program.
What is the Time Commitment?
The Drug Court Program requires the defendant to participate in the
program for a minimum of six months. The defendant must remain
drug and alcohol free for a minimum of ninety days in order to
graduate. After graduation, the defendant remains on probation
for three to eighteen months. The period of after-care
probation is at the discretion of the Drug Court Judge. While in the
program, the defendant must attend Drug Court on the second and
fourth Monday of each month, unless such dates fall on a court
holiday or the defendant is granted a pass. The defendant also
is required to attend group and individual counseling once a week,
complete twelve education classes and report to the probation agent
on the first and third Thursday of each month. The probation agent
will also conduct occasional home visits.
Further Questions?
Questions regarding the treatment component of the Drug Court
Program can be directed to the Drug Court Coordinator at
410.612.1641.
Questions regarding the legal process or eligibility for the Drug
Court Program can be directed to the Drug Court Prosecutor or Drug
Court Legal Assistant at 410.638.3231. |
