Is drug court an option for you?

On Behalf of | Jun 3, 2019 | Drug Crimes |

Arkansas drug convictions can lead to serious penalties, and some of those penalties have the potential to impact everything from your job and finances to your personal relationships. In some cases, though, you may be able to enter a state drug court program, instead of facing traditional criminal consequences, so that you can deal with your addiction while taking accountability for your crime.

According to the Arkansas Judiciary, there are nearly 40 drug court programs currently in operation across the state, and many of these programs operate in a similar manner. If you are able to enter one, you will typically need to undergo frequent drug testing and counseling, and you will also need to appear regularly in front of a judge or program administrator who can make sure you are staying compliant. You will typically also need to hold down a job throughout the duration of your drug court program, which is typically a period of about 18 months.

While drug court could potentially give you the structure and accountability you need to beat your addiction, drug courts also offer benefits for the communities where they operate. For example, it costs your community about $4.50 per day to put you through drug court, while it costs about $45 every day to house an offender in the Arkansas prison system.

If you are facing drug charges and you have valid concerns about the possibility of having to serve time, it may prove worthwhile to find out if you could instead participate in drug court. Doing so can offer numerous long-term benefits, from helping keep you off drugs to helping you maintain steady employment.

This content is educational in nature and not a substitute for legal advice.