Specialty courts reduce the traditional criminal justice court system dockets with diversion programs for people who qualify. Drug court is a specialty court offering evidence-based treatment for participants who struggle with substance use disorder. They typically have a nonviolent criminal history and a clinical diagnosis of addiction.
Learn more about eligibility requirements for drug court in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Key components of drug court
Drug courts work to keep nonviolent offenders out of the traditional justice system. They also reduce the increasing problem of addiction. In addition to medical and psychological treatment for substance use disorder, these programs address underlying issues, such as:
- Poverty
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Unemployment
Frequent substance testing ensures substance use abstinence. Participants also have ongoing contact with the judicial system. Drug courts reduce the number of people who return to court for drug and alcohol-related crimes.
Little Rock drug court eligibility
Criminal defendants in Little Rock can receive a referral to drug court if:
- They face an actual drug or alcohol criminal charge.
- They have a high risk of reoffending.
- They have serious diagnosed substance use disorder.
Participants enter drug court before pleading to criminal charges. The court can also defer a criminal sentence for drug court program completion. The court expunges or dismisses the underlying criminal charges after program completion.
If you successfully complete the requirements of drug court, you can potentially avoid charges that appear on your permanent criminal record. You may also be able to avoid jail time in favor of probation depending on the severity of your offense.
