- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
BY BOB KASARDA
bkasarda@nwitimes.com
219.462.5151 | Saturday, October 22, 2005 | (No comments posted.)
VALPARAISO | After several years of planning and discussion, officials in Porter County are going ahead with the creation of a drug court.
The court, which is expected to start up sometime after the first of the year, will offer qualified individuals the opportunity to wipe their records clean by successfully completing a program aimed at helping them overcome drug and alcohol problems, while improving other areas of their lives.
Porter Superior Court Judge Julia Jent, who has been active in domestic violence programs, will preside over the new Porter County Alcohol and Other Drug Court.
She said she made the issue a priority after noticing a large number of offenders reappearing before her in court unable to shake problems with drugs and alcohol.
"We've got to do something, there's a problem," she said.
Jent also has personal reasons for pursuing the court and attempting to improve the situation in Porter County. She said that not only does she live in the county, but also her 11 grandchildren.
The good news for officials struggling with a limited amount of tax dollars is that the new court will be initiated without any additional cost to the county, Jent said.
This will be accomplished, she said, by utilizing existing community correction programs.
The approach was a perfect fit with the nonprofit Porter County PACT, which will coordinate the effort, said Director Tammy O'Neill.
O'Neill said the strength of the program is that it includes representatives from all areas of the criminal justice system. These include judges, prosecutors, probation, police, treatment and service providers, substance abuse officials and defense attorneys.
The group, which is still working to hash out details of the program, will oversee it once it is in place.
The plan is to begin with 20 defendants and one case manager, O'Neill said. In order to qualify, defendants must be 18 or over, and be charged with either a D or C felony offense directly involving drugs or alcohol, or related in some way. No violent offender will be accepted.
The defendants must also be represented by an attorney and agree to take part.
Once accepted, O'Neill said a defendant will be assessed for their risk of re-offending. Both weaknesses and strengths will be identified and a management plan will be created with input from the defendant.
If the defendant is unemployed but employable, she said an effort will be made to assist them in finding a job. Education may also be part of the plan, she said, as well as other basics such as securing a drivers license or learning how to budget.
Drug and alcohol treatment and education will also be part of the program, O'Neill said.
The defendants will be required to make frequent court appearances that may begin as often as once a week until they make progress, she said. This approach is not intended to pose a threat, but rather to serve as a proven method of holding the defendant accountable.
An ongoing evaluation will also be in place to assess risk factors and strengths, such as the client's attitude, financial situation and level of family support, O'Neill said. The effectiveness of the new program will also be evaluated.
Those who successfully complete the program will walk away without a conviction on their record, she said.
This is a valuable program, Jent said. It is difficult or impossible, she said, to get a job or secure a student loan with a felony conviction on your record.
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.