As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) ADVISORY COMMITTEE. A local committee which may consist of the following members or their designees:
a. The drug court judge, who shall serve as chair.
b. The district attorney.
c. The public defender or a member of the criminal defense bar.
d. The drug court coordinator.
e. The court clerk.
f. A community corrections or court referral officer, or both.
g. A pretrial services provider.
h. A law enforcement officer.
i. Substance abuse treatment providers.
j. Any other person the chair deems appropriate.
(2) ASSESSMENT. A diagnostic evaluation for placement in a treatment program which shall be performed in accordance with criteria certified by the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services Division.
(3) CHARGE. As defined in Section 12-25-32(13).
(4) CONTINUUM OF CARE. A seamless and coordinated course of substance abuse education and treatment designed to meet the needs of drug offenders as they move through the criminal justice system and beyond, maximizing self-sufficiency.
(5) CO-OCCURRING. A substance abuse and mental health disorder.
(6) DRUG. Includes all of the following:
a. A controlled substance, drug, or other substance for which a medical prescription or other legal authorization is required for purchase or possession.
b. A drug whose manufacture, sale, use, or possession is forbidden by law.
c. Other harmful substance, a misused substance otherwise legal to possess, including alcohol.
(7) DRUG COURT. A judicial intervention program for drug offenders in the criminal division of the circuit or district court that incorporates the ten key components as enumerated in subsection (f) of Section 12-23A-4 and may include any of the following:
a. Pre-adjudication. A drug offender is ordered to participate in drug court before acceptance of a plea of guilty or conviction.
b. Post-adjudication. A drug offender is ordered to participate in drug court after entering a plea of guilty or having been found guilty.
c. Reentry. A drug offender is ordered to participate in drug court upon release from a sentence of incarceration.
d. Combination program. May include pre-adjudication, post-adjudication, and/or reentry.
(8) DRUG COURT COORDINATOR. An individual who is responsible for coordinating the establishment, staffing, operation, evaluation, and integrity of the drug court.
(9) DRUG COURT TEAM. Consists of all of the following members who are assigned to the drug court:
a. The drug court judge.
b. The district attorney or his or her designee.
c. The public defender or a member of the criminal defense bar.
d. A law enforcement officer.
e. The drug court coordinator.
f. A representative from community corrections, court referral program, or the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
g. Any other persons selected by the drug court team.
(10) DRUG OFFENDER. A person charged with or convicted of a drug-related offense or an offense in which substance abuse is determined from the evidence to have been a significant factor in the commission of the offense and who has applied for or been accepted to participate in a drug court program for drug offenders in the criminal division of the circuit or district court.
(11) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. A written document setting forth an agreed upon procedure.
(12) RECIDIVISM. A subsequent conviction or plea of nolo contendere in this or any other state or federal court of the United States within three years of successful completion of, or termination from, drug court for any offense carrying a sentence of one year or more.
(13) RELAPSE. A return to substance use after a period of abstinence from substance abuse.
(14) SCREENING. The process of gathering basic information to determine whether the offender meets established drug court eligibility criteria and shall include, but is not limited to, the current charge, a substance abuse evaluation, a brief questionnaire to determine if a risk or needs assessment is needed, and drug testing, and may include, but is not limited to, a substance abuse evaluation, risk assessment, or needs assessment.
(15) SPLIT SENTENCING. A sentence which includes a period of incarceration followed by a period of probation.
(16) STAFFING. The meeting before an appearance of a drug offender in drug court in which the drug court team discusses a coordinated response to the drug offender's behavior.
(17) SUBSTANCE. Drug as defined in subdivision (6).
(18) SUBSTANCE ABUSE. The illegal or improper consumption of a drug.
(19) SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. The application of professionally planned, managed, administered, and monitored procedures for the purpose of alleviating, minimizing, and stabilizing the effect of substance-related disorders and restoring impaired functionality.
(20) VIOLENT OFFENSE OR CHARGE. As defined in Section 12-25-32(13).
Last modified: May 3, 2021