What is the function of a drug treatment court?
Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing. The mission of drug courts is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related criminal activity. Drug courts promote recovery through a coordinated response to offenders dependent on alcohol and other drugs.
What is a drug treatment order Victoria?
The Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court (DATC) is a new division of the County Court that allows for a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order (DATO) as a sentencing option for people with a drug or alcohol dependency who have committed associated criminal offences.
How does Drug Court work Victoria?
The purpose of Drug Court is to impose and administer an order called a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order (DATO). A DATO consists of two parts: custodial: sentence of imprisonment – not exceeding two years – to be served in the community to allow the participant to receive drug and / or alcohol treatment.
What is the first step of the Drug Court process?
At every step of the drug court process— from initial screening, assessment, treat- ment, and supervision through graduation— decisions are made.
Can the Drug Court hear appeals?
When a person is on a program there is no appeal against any decision taken by the Drug Court relating to the conditions of a program or the imposition of rewards or sanctions (s 10(3),11(2)). However, appeals against a final sentence can be made.
When did drug court start in Victoria?
2002In 2000 drug courts were introduced in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. Victoria introduced its first drug court in 2002. The virtually simultaneous adoption by the States of an experimental strategy that pushes the boundaries of criminal justice is rare in Australia.
How many drug courts are there in Victoria?
one drug courtDespite its recorded successes, Victoria has only one drug court which is situated in Dandenong. This Drug Court was piloted from 2002 – 2005 (Department of Justice 2005) and achieved permanency thereafter.
What are the cons of drug courts?
Drug Court's Cons for Addicts Drug court can last a long time, far longer than regular criminal court. In some counties, drug court can last a full year. A defendant may have to participate in drug court far longer than she would have in criminal court, especially if she tests positive for substance use.
What are the two approaches to drug courts?
"There are generally two models for drug courts: deferred prosecution programs and post-adjudication programs. In a deferred prosecution or diversion setting, defendants who meet certain eligibility requirements are diverted into the drug court system prior to pleading to a charge.
Why do drug courts fail?
Yet if they agree to undergo treatment through the drug courts, some defendants are still positioned to fail, either because they lack necessities such as housing, food, and transportation, or because they, like Smith, are not allowed to use the best treatment for their specific disorder.