Drug Court

The Maricopa Count Adult Drug Court has been in operation since 1992. The program offers a cognitive based, outpatient counseling and drug monitoring program for offenders. Client program compliance is monitored regularly by the Drug Court team. The team consists of the judge, probation officer, public defender, county attorney and counselor. Participants are drug tested randomly at a minimum of five to eight times per month, and are required to attend support group meetings, in addition to the group counseling sessions. Drug Court clients participate in Healthcare Literacy classes in an effort to encourage healthcare enrollment and/or utilization of treatment services, including medically assisted treatment (MAT).

Participants enter into a behavioral contract with the Court which outlines the offender's responsibilities and goals within a specified time frame. Compliance or lack thereof is met with incentives or sanctions to shape lasting behavior changes. The contract specifies counseling requirements determined by the counselor, meetings with the probation officer, urinalysis testing, payment of fees, and other special Drug Court conditions. Incentives may include praise, gift cards, promotion to higher phases in the program, decreased reporting, and early termination of probation. Sanctions may include writing assignments, increased reporting, curfews, community restitution hours, observation of Probation Violation Court, and short periods of incarceration. Substance use disorder treatment, support group participation, frequent court contacts, community supervision, and drug testing offer motivation for Drug Court contract compliance. Drug Court probationers can earn early termination and misdemeanor designation (if applicable) in as little as one year.

Entry Criteria for Drug Court

Eligible

• Felony offense with a minimum of a two year probation grant
• Determined as Medium-high or High Risk per current risk assessment and a history of at least moderate to severe substance use
• Must reside in the Drug Court Supervision area

Not Eligible

• Marijuana convictions only or the defendant possesses a verified marijuana card
• Sales offenses are not eligible unless pled down from sales
• Stand-alone first-strike Prop 200 cases
• No other significant treatment issues which would lead to an inability to participate in the program. (examples: Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI), Sex Offender)