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Program Description
Qualified defendants with pending felony 3 rd OWI and drug charges may voluntarily enter into Jackson County’s Drug Court program. Defendants who do so will take part in a minimum year-long period of intensive addition rehabilitation closely supervised the entire time by the Drug Court Judge and Drug Court Staff. The program may last longer than a year if a participant encounters problems in complying along the way. After conclusion of Drug Court the participants will remain on probation supervision.

This program is open to all people who have pending felony drug and 3rd OWI charges so long as they have no crimes of violence on their prior criminal record (including no convictions for misdemeanor domestic battery). Jackson County’s Drug Court is open not just to first offenders but also to people with multiple prior convictions so long as none of those prior convictions were for one of the disqualifying types of offenses listed above.

Upon graduation the defendant will have had one year of drug and alcohol free living as established by persistent random drug testing while in the program, attendance at AA/NA and treatment and will possess the knowledge and tools he or she needs after leaving the program to remain drug free.

Many citizens with more than ten years of active addition to drugs and/or alcohol are successfully completing this program. The program is difficult to complete, but anyone who desires it, regardless of age, severity or length of addition, can successfully complete this program.

Services Provided
The following are an example of services provided by the Drug Court:

• Upon application for admission to the drug court the applicant has a comprehensive bio-social assessment performed. The clinical assessment determines the appropriate entrance phase specifically tailored to address the needs identified in the applicant’s assessment.
• The four-phase drug treatment program integrates substance abuse treatment, sanctions and incentives, with case management to involved defendants. Each phase consists of specified treatment objectives, therapeutic and rehabilitative activities and contains specific requirements for advancement into the next phase.
• In coordination with a drug court judge, the drug court staff utilizes criminal justice partnerships to assist the defendant with supportive social services.

Program Locations
Partnerships with three (3) treatment providers allow Drug Court to offer services to participants who live in Jackson County. These are:

Born Free - Outpatient Treatment for Women
817 West High Street
(517) 782-9905

Washington Way - In and Outpatient
2424 Washington
(517) 782-4001

Bridgeway - Outpatient
323 West Michigan
(517) 783-2732

Cost of Services
Each participant will be expected to pay for their counseling and testing based on an ability to pay.

Program Office Hours
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

How is the Drug Court different from normal prosecution through Criminal Court?
Drug Court is a team driven, non-adversarial court process, led by a Drug Court Judge. The team seeks to help bring about a drug/alcohol free lifestyle for participants.

Who is eligible for Drug Court?
In order to enter drug court, a candidate must be charged with one of the following drug related felony charges: sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, attempted purchased of a controlled substance, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, or possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, or OWI as a third offense. A criminal record check must disclose no other pending felony charges, no prior violent felony convictions, and no domestic battery convictions. To enter the program the offender must be a resident of Jackson County.

How long does the Drug Court Program last?
The Drug Court Program is a minimum of twelve months in length and is dependent on individual progress and compliance.

What are the benefits of Drug Court for offenders who successfully complete the program?
Clients are given the opportunity to participate in treatment and avoid incarceration while maintaining their employment. Participants may avoid inpatient treatment as long as they succeed in the outpatient program.

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