Drug Court In New Jersey: The Pros And Cons Of The Program

Drug addiction is a serious problem throughout New Jersey and the rest of the United States. In recent years, the number of heroin overdoses and arrests in New Jersey have driven the issue to be described by many as an epidemic. To combat drug issues and help addicts get the help that they need, New Jersey has a drug court program in place.

Like other legal and social initiatives, New Jersey’s drug court has its benefits as well as its drawbacks. This program is designed to help offenders by providing them with opportunities for rehabilitation, rather than simply punishing them for committing drug-related crimes. However, there are limits to this program’s reach and in some cases, it works to effectively hinder an offender’s ability to recover.

Pros Of New Jersey’s Drug Court

By going through the drug court program, a non-violent offender can avoid jail time. With the drug court program, the offender is assessed to determine his or her rehabilitation prospects and then provided with a support network to ensure that he or she remains in treatment until the program is complete. This network includes treatment providers, social service providers, and community-based support systems as well as law enforcement and legal support.

Drug court is meant for offenders who want to receive treatment and are ready to change their lives. It is an intense program that demands full cooperation and a willingness to make a complete lifestyle overhaul to become sober and end one’s association with drug users and dealers for good.

Cons Of New Jersey’s Drug Court

For offenders who are not ready to make a change or can not commit to the demands of the program, drug court is not ideal.

Individuals who are considering drug court must discuss the issue thoroughly with their attorneys to understand all that it entails. When an individual enters the drug court program, he or she must also agree to a probation period and an alternative sentence if he or she does not complete the program. Failing out of drug court means accepting the alternative sentence.

Offenders facing drug charges should also bear in mind that drug court requires participants to appear in court once per week. This can make it difficult or even impossible to hold a full-time job.

To learn more about New Jersey’s drug court program and how your case may be handled while going through it, contact The Law Office of Eric B. Hannum Esq., LLC. (732) 365-3299 or visit our firm on the web to schedule your initial legal consultation with one of the expert members of our team. Do not wait to begin working with our firm – with any legal matter, you need to be proactive and develop a legal strategy for your case as soon as you can.