JUDICIAL PRIMER ON UNIFIED DRUG COURTS AND COURT- ORDERED DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

• NCJ Number: 146808
• Author(s): J S Tauber
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Paper presented at the California Continuing Judicial Studies Program, Dana Point, California, August 20, 1993

Annotation

This paper describes the nature and operation of a unified drug court and explains the judge's role in establishing and operating such a court and referring offenders to court-ordered drug treatment programs.

Abstract

Drug courts mark a return to a previous era in which judges ran their own calendars, defendants had to deal with a single judge and court staff, and cases moved slowly and carefully through the judicial system. In a drug court, a single judge and dedicated program staff apply a common- sense approach to behavior modification. Court procedures are adapted to reflect the realities of the offender's drug abuse, and coordinated programs are created where offenders and others are all held accountable. Drug court judges should be strong leaders, with enthusiasm for the court's mission, the ability to think systematically, a talent for motivating others, and a willingness to be a direct participant in the process. Even where no drug court exists or is needed, the application of the principles of successful court-ordered drug treatment will achieve significantly better sentencing and supervisory outcomes. Appended background materials