Not all drug offenses result in prison time if a conviction is achieved in criminal court. In fact, Louisiana offers a drug court program to those facing certain drug charges. What is the purpose of drug court?
In short, drug court is a court-supervised treatment program for those suffering with drug addiction. In order for a case to be moved from criminal court to drug court, specific qualifications will need to be met. This is not meant for those charged with serious drug crimes. If admitted into the program, criminal punishment and incarceration may be avoided upon successful completion.
Unlike other drug treatment programs, drug court is a long-term commitment. It is not something that will be completed in just a few weeks. It can take over a year to finish, depending on one’s specific situation.
If accepted into the treatment program, one will be required to go to meetings, make appearances in court, submit to weekly drug tests and meet with a court-approved counselor on a regular basis. If one fails to stick to the program, his or her case will be sent back to criminal court for prosecution. Compliance with drug court rules is simply non-negotiable.
The drug court program offered in Louisiana has helped many individuals in overcoming addiction to drugs. This has allowed them to lead more fulfilling and productive lives for themselves and their families. An experienced criminal defense attorney can assist those who are facing qualified drug charges by petitioning to have their cases considered for this treatment program.
Source: lasc.org, “Drug Courts“, Accessed on March 14, 2017