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After reading the information in this brochure, indicate YES or NO if you would like to be considered as a candidate for participation in the Drug Court program, please sign your name below and return this form with YES or NO response to: Ted Wiggins, Drug Court Coordinator 530 Greene Street, Suite 902 Augusta, Georgia 30901 YES I would like to be considered for Drug Court NO I DO NOT want to be considered for Drug Court SIGNATURE Address Street City State Zip Code Phone Number Those on bond: If you wish to be considered as a candidate and are out on bond, please return form within 48 hours of being released on bond to the Public Defender’s office or your attorney. Clinical Assessments and Group Therapy will be held at Jones Behavioral Health 114 Pleasant Home Road Augusta, Georgia 30907 (706) 364-3209 Drug Court Questions & Comments Contact: Ted Wiggins, Drug Court Coordinator (706) 823-4424 Is Drug Court for me? Ask yourself: Is the use of drugs and/or alcohol part of the reason why I find myself charged with a crime and facing a possible jail sentence? What’s in it for me? 1) Dismissal of Charges After successful completion of the Drug Court program the District Attorney will dismiss the charges against you. 2) Possible Probation Modification In some cases, you will be allowed to remain on probation and upon successful completion, the Court will modify your remaining probation sentence, if any, to unsupervised probation. 3) First Offender Status Successful completion of the Drug Court program will also allow you to maintain your first offender status, if applicable. 4) Second Chance The program offers you the chance to move forward in your life with the new skills that you have learned. 5) Healthy Lifestyle The Treatment Plan is required and will help you take control of your life. You will learn what not to do but more importantly you will learn how to take care of yourself and your family. We are here to help! Nobody said it would be easy. Inside, you will find the requirements for the Drug Court program. We want to see you succeed and use the program to make a better life for yourself. You will be given every opportunity to succeed. The goal of the Drug Court program is to help you get clean and sober and live a productive and positive lifestyle for at least 24 months. You will be terminated from the program only if your behavior and attitude clearly and consistently demonstrate that you do not want to be in the program or if you are charged with a new felony. Violating any of the conditions of the program will result in sanctions which may include, but are not limited to, any of the following sanctions: * Jail Time *Community Service *Jury Box Duty *Clean up duty *Verbal Warning *No awards *Residential Treatment *House Arrest In the Drug Court Program, we value honesty, accountability and a positive attitude. Lying will result in harsher sanctions. What if: I test positive, miss meetings or court, or otherwise fail to comply with the conditions of the program? ---PAGE BREAK--- How do I become a participant in the Drug Court program? Not everyone is eligible for Drug Court. Your case will be screened by the District Attorney to decide if based on your criminal history you are eligible to be a candidate for Drug Court. If you are interested in participating in the Drug Court Program, please send this brochure to the Public Defender’s Office. If you meet the minimum requirements, a health professional will meet with you to perform a clinical screening. The screening and your file will be reviewed by the Drug Court team at the staff meeting held before Drug Court. If you are accepted into Drug Court, then you will meet with a defense attorney to review your case and to sign the legal paperwork for entry of your plea. Drug Court Overview Post-Plea- this means you admit to your guilt for the offense that you are charged with and waive your right to a trial or hearing on any of the legal issues. Pre-Adjudication-this means that although you will enter a guilty plea you will not be sentenced for the offense(s) and if you successfully complete the minimum 24 months of the program, the charges against you will be DISMISSED. Termination from the program- If you are terminated from the program because you are charged with a new felony offense, or you have consistently failed to follow the rules of Drug Court or comply with your Treatment Plan, then you will be notified of your termination from the Drug Court program and your case will be set for sentencing by the Drug Court Judge. COURT CORE REQUIREMENTS: PROGRAM PHASES Phase 1 3 months minimum INITIAL • Stay Clean & Sober; do not drink or use drugs • Court meets 1x per week • Curfew 9pm to5am enforced by Drug Court Team • If required by treatment plan AA/NA 7x per week with proof of attendance • Counseling/Treatment Sessions 5x per week • Drug Screens 3x per week • Breathalyzers – upon request • Work – that is provable and verifiable, at least PT; if not employed, then do community service; • School or vocational training as an alternative to employment • $50.00 Drug Court Participation fee(one time fee) • Court fees $150.00 per month • Minimum of 30 days clean before moving forward to next phase • Continue and comply with individual treatment plan Phase 2 3 months minimum INITIAL • Stay Clean & Sober; do not drink or use drugs • Court meets 1x per week • Curfew 9pm to5am enforced by Drug Court Team • AA/NA As directed by treatment provider & Drug Court Team • Counseling/Treatment Sessions 3x per week • Drug Screens 3x per week • Breathalyzers – upon request • Remain employed • School as an alternative • Court fees $150.00 per month • Minimum of 45 days clean before moving forward to next phase • Continue with treatment plan Goal of the Program The goal of the Drug Court team is to help you to remain clean and sober for a minimum period of 24 months. The decision is up to you. The length of the program will be based on the choices that you make. PROGRAM PHASES Phase 3 6 month minimum INITIAL • Stay Clean & Sober; do not drink or use drugs • Court meets every other week • Curfew 9pm to5am enforced by Drug Court Team • AA/NA As directed by treatment provider & Drug Court Team • Counseling/Treatment Sessions 2x per week • Drug Screens 2x per week • Breathalyzer upon demand • Remain employed • Continued progress with education • Court fees $150.00 per month • Minimum of 90 days clean before moving forward to next phase • Continue with treatment plan Phase 4 6 month minimum INITIAL • Stay Clean & Sober; do not drink or use drugs • Court attendance at least 1x per month • AA/NA As directed by treatment provider & Drug Court Team • Counseling/Treatment Sessions 1x per week • Drug Screens 2x per week • Breathalyzer upon request • Curfew 10pm to5am enforced by Drug Court Team • Become eligible to be a mentor • Continued employment FT • Minimum of 6 months clean before moving forward to next phase • Court fees $150.00 per month • Continue with treatment plan Phase 5 6 month minimum INITIAL • Stay Clean & Sober; do not drink or use drugs • Court attendance at least 1x per month • AA/NA As directed by treatment provider & Drug Court Team • Drug Screens 2x per week • Breathalyzer on request • Curfew 10pm to5am enforced by Drug Court Team • Counseling/Treatment Sessions 1x per month • Court fees $150.00 per month • Minimum of 12 months clean before Graduation • Aftercare-continue with treatment plan