Juvenile Drug Court
Juvenile Drug Court is an intensive supervision program for Juvenile Offenders that offers a rehabilitative and therapeutic approach to Chemically Dependent Juvenile Offenders. The program, which began in January of 2000, consists of a partnership between the Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, Defense Attorney, Probation Counselor, and Treatment Provider. Snohomish County Juvenile Drug Court is one of 7Juvenile Drug Courts operating in Washington State.
The mission of Juvenile Drug Court is to strengthen the mental, emotional and social well being of Juvenile Offenders and to promote community safety and reduce recidivism. To achieve this purpose, therapeutic and legal interventions are employed to provide optimum success. The Juvenile Drug Court Team is guided by the principles of excellence, integrity and compassion.
Cases are screened by the Snohomish County Juvenile Drug Court Prosecutor for eligibility. The Juvenile must be charged with a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony offense driven by drug and/or alcohol involvement. The Juvenile must be diagnosed as Chemically Dependent and be amenable to treatment. Drug Court is limited to 25 Juveniles.
Eligible Drug Court participants initially enter into a two-week opt in period. During this two-week period, the participants engage in drug treatment, random urinalysis testing, and weekly Court hearings. At the end of this two-week period, the participants decide if they want to opt into Drug Court. If the participants determine they want to opt-out of Drug Court, they are assigned back to the regular trial track. If the participants decide to opt-in, a Stipulation for Bench Trial on Agreed Documentary Evidence for the Drug Court Program and Waiver of Speedy Trial is entered.
Participants are required to attend weekly Court hearings, group and individual counseling sessions, two community based support groups and random urinalysis tests. The participant is also required to schedule and attend regular Probation meetings enroll in a school program, obtain a GED and/or obtain employment. As the participant progresses through the program, Court hearings and treatment sessions decrease in frequency. Participants are in Drug Court for 12-18 months, and at the completion of all requirements, charges are dismissed.
Incentives consist of movie passes, restaurant coupons, praise from the Judge, recovery tokens, recovery gifts, gift certificates. The Drug Court Team strives to build on the positives and reinforce those behaviors by acknowledging the small successes that eventually lead to meeting a larger goal.
Sanctions consist of community service, increased support group meetings, Drug Court hearings, and suspended driving privileges and detention.
The Drug Court Participant must meet the following requirements to be eligible for graduation:
- Complete all treatment goals and objectives
- Remain clean and sober for at least 3 months
- Participate in Drug Court for a minimum of 12 months
- Be enrolled in school/GED program, or obtain full time employment
- Several of the 24 Drug Court graduates have gone on to enroll in college or attend vocational schools.