A Drug Court is a full or part-time court that has been especially designed and staffed to supervise the nonviolent drug offender. It is a court-monitored program of drug treatment and rehabilitation services. Based on an innovative program that was first developed in Miami, Florida in 1989, the Drug Court Concept has received widespread attention as an effective treatment strategy, and there are now more than 400 such programs in operation throughout the United States.
Drug Courts are built upon unique relationships between elements of the criminal justice system, such as the District Attorney, Public Defender and Probation officers, and the drug treatment community, one that builds a treatment program around the authority and personal involvement of the Drug Court Judge.
Drug Courts offer the participant a clear choice: participation in treatment instead of going to jail. In exchange for successful completion of the treatment program, the Court may eventually dismiss the original charge, early terminate probation or reduce a felony to a misdemeanor charge (if applicable).
