52/2 Sobriety Court

52/2 Sobriety Court Mission Statement

The 52/2 Sobriety Court promotes public safety by utilizing a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach that identifies high-risk substance abuse offenders and diverts the offenders to a comprehensive and structured rehabilitation program. This program focuses on promoting ongoing sobriety, personal responsibility and productive citizenship.

52-2 Sobriety Court Overview

More than 500 drunk driving cases are filed in the 52-2 District Court each year. About 37 percent of these cases are repeat offenders. Initiated in November, 2004, is a specialized docket designed to address the problem posed by repeat drunk drivers. It is based on an adult drug court model with the objective of reducing recidivistic drunk driving. It is characterized by the use of an expedited docket or ëfast trackí case processing system, early identification of the offender and immediate placement in treatment.

Each defendant who enters the 18 month program does so voluntarily. Because these individuals give up certain constitutional and privacy rights, the agreement to enter Sobriety Court is based upon a signed contract and a knowing waiver on the record. The sobriety court team reviews cases prior to going into court. The sobriety court program is run on a point-based system that measures performance in several categories. The offender is intensively monitored through weekly probation reporting and daily alcohol/drug testing. All defendants must also attend AA and a treatment program designed by the defendant's assigned substance abuse therapist. Direct contact between the sobriety court officer and the treatment provider is mandatory. Defendants are also subject to random home and employment checks done by the sobriety court officer in conjunction with law enforcement agencies to ensure that defendants' residences, properties and place of employment are free of alcohol and drugs. The program combines intense probation supervision combined with frequent judicial review (every two to four weeks). The judicial review focuses on the progess of the defendant in treatment, compliace with court orders, the difficulties faced at home, at work and in the community.