NCJ Number
174544
Journal
Justice System Journal Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: 1997 Pages: 267-290
Date Published
1997
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article examines the implementation of four drug courts in Los Angeles County.
Abstract
All four courts operate under the same guidelines which have been established by an oversight committee. The drug court movement in Los Angeles County was initiated by two local judges who participated in several judicial conferences and observed the drug court programs in Oakland, Calif., and Miami, Fla. The development and expansion of drug courts in Los Angeles County is an example of controlled and managed growth. What initially began during the monthly meetings of the Los Angeles County municipal courts among a group of interested professionals became a drug court oversight committee. The primary program goal is to divert nonviolent drug offenders into treatment, which is provided by private agencies that contract with the court. This process evaluation examined the design and implementation of the first four drug court programs opened in the county. The evaluation's primary goal was to compare the experiences across sites and to contrast different management styles. In addition, the study measured the opinions of drug court team members regarding participant characteristics and perceptions of program implementation and effectiveness. The secondary goals were to examine the current practices and provide recommendations for any changes needed in program design. Findings show that overall the four courts are complying with the standards and practices established for their operation; all four courts provided a supportive climate for defendants. The drug court team members are proud of their accomplishments, and they believe the program to be effective and worthy of expansion. The article concludes with a discussion of policy implications. 13 references and appended questions for focus groups