Adult Drug Court

Charleston County Adult Drug Court provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration of nonviolent offenders with substance abuse problems. The goal of Drug Court is to reduce crime and rehabilitate offenders through court supervision and substance abuse treatment. The program is designed to promote self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. Participation requires a personal commitment. Members of the Drug Court Team are present to guide and assist participants, but the final responsibility is theirs. Defendants must be motivated to make this change and commit to a more responsible way of life.

The program involves working with the Drug Court staff, all dedicated to the participant's recovery for a minimum of 15 months. The defendant's charges will be dismissed upon successful completion of the five-phase program.

It is important that participants understand the long-term commitment involved in Drug Court. Participants will be involved with self-help meetings, attend weekly court appearances, submit to random drug testing and attend all treatment sessions. The Drug Court staff assists participants in successfully complete the program, but the choice and effort to change their lifestyle is theirs.

Applicant Information

1. To be considered for Adult Drug Court, the Solicitor, participant's lawyer and any victims associated with your charges must agree to Drug Court as an option.
2. The participant must be clinically assessed by a Drug Court treatment counselor.
3. The assessment fee is $100 cash or money order and must be paid prior to assessment.

NOTE: Only certain current charges are eligible for Drug Court and certain items on your prior criminal record may make you ineligible.

PARTICIPANT MUST PLEAD GUILTY UPFRONT TO YOUR CURRENT CHARGES AND ACCEPT THE NEGOTIATED SENTENCE THAT WILL BE IMPOSED IF TERMINATED FROM DRUG COURT.

Charleston County Adult Drug Court consists of the following:

• Attend Drug Court on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Judicial Center
  • Pay $30 every Wednesday
• Attend treatment sessions 2-3 times per week
  • Charleston Center, Downtown
• Call for drug testing Monday-Saturday and submit to a urine drug screen if on the list
  • Low Country Drug Screening, North Charleston
• Hair testing, every 90 days
• Attend a minimum of two self-help meetings per week
• Attain and maintain employment and show proof of employment each week at court
• Pay back all restitution that may be ordered with associated charges

*Failure to comply with any of the above will result in sanctions (jail, community service, written essays, etc.)

*Successful completion and "graduation" from the program will result in dismissal of charges.

Warrants and/or new arrests and charges could result in being terminated from the Charleston County Adult Drug Court Program and you will immediately begin serving your pre-negotiated prison sentence. Other violations that could result in termination include consistently missing and/or failing numerous drug tests and/or hair tests or demonstrating a lack of program participation by failing to cooperate with the treatment counselor and working through the program. You DO NOT get credit for your time spent in Drug Court. The Drug Court Team will make all decisions regarding termination from the program. To apply to Drug Court, please ask your lawyer for a referral.

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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