Drug Court
Drug Court
About the Newton County Felony Drug Court
The Newton County Adult Felony Drug Court (NCAFDC) is designed to coordinate substance abuse intervention with judicial support through an immediate sanctions and incentives process. The NCAFDC is an effort to provide a successful criminal justice treatment model that will provide services to the people of Newton County.
Participant entry into the NCAFDC is voluntary, and charges will be dismissed or a reduced sentence will be entered upon successful completion of the program. The NCAFDC is also an option for clients who violate probation for a felony charge in lieu of probation revocation. A primary goal of the NCAFDC Program is to reduce recidivism through substance abuse intervention with immediate judicial review that supports addressing the offender’s substance abuse problem, utilizing a sanction/incentive process. The NCAFDC Team will monitor each participant through the Program’s duration.
This court is a partnership between judicial, district attorney, law enforcement, drug court office, treatment providers, defense bar, and felony probation representatives. Each team member is committed to protecting the community as well as improving the quality of life for the participants by helping them become productive members of the community.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Newton County Adult Felony Drug Court is to enhance public safety by reducing crime and recidivism while maximizing the productivity and health of community through a more efficient allocation of available resources, which establishes a comprehensive system of treatment, incentives, and sanctions for eligible drug dependent offenders.
10 Key Components of a Drug Court
- Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
- Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights.
- Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.
- Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.
- Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.
- A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance.
- Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.
- Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
- Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
- Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.