Sangamon County drug court: Both punishment and life preserver

The container of candy bars sitting by the judges bench was an indication this wasnt going to be an ordinary court session.

It was drug court, a once-a-week session in Sangamon County Circuit Court that can be a last-chance life preserver for drug-dependent criminals.

Sangamon County started its drug court in December 2010 with the help of a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. It joined fewer than 30 other Illinois counties with drug courts there are now 31 counties where non-violent offenders may be eligible to go through an intensive program that includes frequent drug testing, education or work requirements and regular court visits.

Crimes like felony shoplifting or addiction-related forgery cases could qualify someone for drug court. First-time drug offenders don't qualify.

They must have an addiction or drug dependency and a pending non-violent felony, said assistant states attorney Karen Tharp, one of the members of the drug court team. Their crimes have to be associated with drug addiction. And most of them are repeat offenders.

But for this chance, theyd be going to prison, she said.

The grant called for 25 participants, and the idea was to build that number slowly to see how things went.

Tharp said there are now 26 participants, and all the team members agreed to go over the original 25-person ceiling.

Every Friday

Drug court meets at 11 a.m. each Friday with Circuit Judge Pete Cavanagh presiding. It is preceded by a meeting of the drug court team, consisting of Tharp, Cavanagh, Sangamon County Court Services officer (formerly called probation) Leslie Van Riper; a representative of the Sangamon County public defenders office; representatives of Gateway Foundation drug treatment center, TASC (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes) and Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois; and private attorney Scott Sabin, who volunteered to be on the team.

Visit link:
Sangamon County drug court: Both punishment and life preserver