NCJ Number
167022
Date Published
1997
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This drug court survey in California found that 56 percent of 34 drug courts responding said their drug courts had been evaluated, usually by a university or a rehabilitation provider.
Abstract
Regarding the category of offender status at intake, the category of post plea was the most frequently reported, with 50 percent of drug courts claiming this status. The category of diversion followed closely, with 41 percent of drug courts claiming this status. Regarding charge type making offenders eligible for drug courts, 85 percent of drug courts made nonviolent, felony charges their leading eligibility category. Property crimes, usually drug-related, were reported as an eligibility category for half of all drug courts surveyed. When reporting on offenses that served to disqualify potential or terminate active drug court participants, violence was the overwhelming disqualifier. The next closest disqualifier involved sex offenses. Of the 34 drug courts, 28 required a mandatory, predetermined fee of all drug court participants. Summaries of survey responses from the 34 drug courts are provided that cover drug court judge, program type and provider, eligibility, drug court personnel, funding sources, financial participation of defendants, and the existence of a management information system. Tables and figures