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Drug Court
The Seventh Circuit Drug Court is a criminal justice diversionary program that offers an alternative for nonviolent offenders who commit crimes to support their addictions to alcohol or drugs.
Participants plead guilty to their charge in court and receive a suspended prison sentence that is satisfied by the completion of a program that includes bi-weekly court appearances, drug screens, treatment sessions and support group meetings. Drug Court lasts a minimum of 14 months, but participants may remain in the program longer in order to meet all requirements. Failure to comply with the program requirements could result in longer or more intense treatment, community service work, or jail time. Consistent non-compliance results in unsuccessful termination from the program. All participants must maintain employment or provide community service work hours throughout the duration of the effort. Any restitution owed to victims must be paid in full prior to graduation.
Anyone who is terminated from the program will be sent to prison to serve the balance of his or her sentence. Participants are charged treatment fees and pay $25 per week while in treatment. The program is open to residents of Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. A non-refundable application fee of $150 is due upon application.
Drug Court is a partnership between the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, The Forrester Center for Behavioral Health, and the Seventh Circuit Public Defender’s Office. Since its inception in 2001, the program has helped scores of people beat their addictions and make positive life changes. Drug Court also saves taxpayer money that would otherwise be spent on incarceration or other tax-funded programs. Facilitating the use of Drug Court saves taxpayers approximately $9,000 per year per offender. In addition, the familial and societal impact resulting from the Drug Court Program is immeasurable.
Participants plead guilty to their charge in court and receive a suspended prison sentence that is satisfied by the completion of a program that includes bi-weekly court appearances, drug screens, treatment sessions and support group meetings. Drug Court lasts a minimum of 14 months, but participants may remain in the program longer in order to meet all requirements. Failure to comply with the program requirements could result in longer or more intense treatment, community service work, or jail time. Consistent non-compliance results in unsuccessful termination from the program. All participants must maintain employment or provide community service work hours throughout the duration of the effort. Any restitution owed to victims must be paid in full prior to graduation.
Anyone who is terminated from the program will be sent to prison to serve the balance of his or her sentence. Participants are charged treatment fees and pay $25 per week while in treatment. The program is open to residents of Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. A non-refundable application fee of $150 is due upon application.
Drug Court is a partnership between the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, The Forrester Center for Behavioral Health, and the Seventh Circuit Public Defender’s Office. Since its inception in 2001, the program has helped scores of people beat their addictions and make positive life changes. Drug Court also saves taxpayer money that would otherwise be spent on incarceration or other tax-funded programs. Facilitating the use of Drug Court saves taxpayers approximately $9,000 per year per offender. In addition, the familial and societal impact resulting from the Drug Court Program is immeasurable.