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substance abuse Tag

What Is Drug Court in Oklahoma?

What Is Drug Court in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma counties have drug court programs that the courts use as an alternative to traditional criminal court. The programs establish treatment requirements instead of jail time and probation for drug offenders. Who Can Go to Drug Court? Certain people who plead guilty or are found guilty of non-violent drug-related felonies may attend drug court by applying to a county program. Defendants must agree to participate in drug court instead of traditional sentencing. Offenders who successfully complete the drug court program will not serve jail time. Drug court is not like a criminal court that evaluates evidence and hears cases. In drug court,...

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Diversion Programs – Do They Work?

Diversion Programs – Do They Work?

A shocking recent article questions whether the diversionary rehab programs judges use for defendants in Oklahoma really work. The article, titled “They thought they were going to rehab. They ended up in chicken plants”, describes courts’ routine practice of sending defendants convicted of minor crimes or serving suspended sentences to Christian Alcoholics & Addicts in Recovery (CAAIR) and other rehabilitation programs. Rather than focusing on addiction treatment, it says that CAAIR sends defendants to work for free doing hard labor at a poultry plant. When they get sick or slow down, they are sent to prison. People convicted of crimes may...

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