Mission Statement

The mission of the Eleventh Judicial District and Magistrate Court’s Adult DWI Drug Court Program is to contribute to a healthier and safer community by reducing DWI recidivism and other criminal activity related to the abuse of alcohol and drugs. 

Goals and Objectives

The Goals and Objectives of the Eleventh Judicial District Court’s Adult Drug Court Program are:

  • To reduce drug and alcohol usage by DWI Drug Court Participants
  • To reduce the likelihood of participants re-immersing themselves and families in the Criminal Justice System, specifically by committing DWI offenses.
  • To increase the ability of the DWI Drug Court Participants to live successful, productive lives within the community, through the attainment of employment and education.
  • For participants to demonstrate a commitment to positive change as measured by the successful completion of each Phase of the program, culminating in graduation from the DWI Drug Court Program.

History

The Eleventh Judicial District Magistrate Court’s Adult DWI Drug Court Program began pilot operation in 2016. The DWI Drug Court Program is a minimum of fourteen months (including aftercare), five-phase, adult misdemeanor DWI Drug court.

The program requires adult misdemeanor DWI offenders to achieve abstinence from alcohol and illegal drug use, thereby diverting them from further involvement in the Criminal Justice system and reducing the incidence of recidivism. To do so, the DWI Drug Court provides court-sponsored, community based treatment and supervision to selected offenders who are identified as having substance abuse issues and who could benefit from intensive treatment.

This Adult DWI Drug Court Program is a joint venture between the public and private sectors which requires cooperation and collaboration among all of the following:  Judges, Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Compliance Officers, Court Staff, Alternative Sentencing Staff, Law Enforcement, Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, Educational Agencies, Housing Agencies, and Substance Abuse Treatment Providers such as Cottonwood Clinical Services. 

Program Overview

The Adult DWI Drug Court Program is designed around the concept of positive reinforcement and is based on a team effort for support. It is recognized and accepted that an individual/participant may relapse a number of times before he/she is finally able to remain clean. Therefore, sanctions and therapeutic responses are built into the program when such relapses occur. The design concept of drug courts also maintains that individuals continue through the phases of the program until they successfully graduate. The program discourages individuals from “giving up” and taking the “easy way out” by requesting to “finish their time” incarcerated so that they can get back out and pursue their former lifestyles of drugs and criminal activity. The goal is to provide to the community sober, educated, and employable individuals. 

The program is designed in such a way that as participants make progress with their substance abuse issues, they move from a highly supervised program in Phase One to a less intensive treatment program in Phase Five. 

The treatment components include inpatient treatment (28 day) intensive outpatient counseling, substance abuse group therapy, individual therapy, life skills training, 12 step Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotic Anonymous meetings, case management services, anger management, parenting skills, social gatherings, and community service. Participants are also required to undergo regular urinalysis screening, meet frequently with their Probation Officer, and appear weekly before the DWI Drug Court Judge.

Currently, Magistrate Court Judge Mark Hawkinson conducts DWI Drug Court each week on Tuesdays at 3:45 pm.

FY21 STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Adult DWI Drug Court Graduates:  5                  

Graduation Rate:  62.5%

Recidivism Rate of DWI Drug Court Graduates:  3.85%

Cost per Client/per Day:  $23.74