County to debut drug, DUI speciality court program

Saturday, February 13, 2010

by Brian S. Orban

Looking at ways to foster addiction treatment versus punishment for repeat offenders, the Elmore County Courthouse plans to start a new drug and drunk driving court program within the next five months.

The Elmore County Courthouse joins more than 55 courts across the state offering this alternative speciality court, which remains an effective tool to cut down on repeat offenders, said Judge George Hicks, who heads the initiative here.

"Speciality courts are designed to provide more intensive treatment and supervision of individuals who find themselves on the wrong side of the law because of some kind of addiction or mental health issue," he said.

For more information on this and other stories, see this week's edition of the Mountain Home News.

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I APPLAUD YOU FOR THIS TYPE OF THINKING. IT IS LONG OVER DUE!

-- Posted by qstar62 on Sun, Feb 14, 2010, at 2:50 PM
They have to do something, the catch and release policies of the Prosecutor and Courts are not making it any safer on the streets. One would think you should spend a year in jail for the first DUI, which would dry you up. Our failed system plays roulette with the lives of the law abiding citizens while worrying about the rights and heath of people with no responsibility or self respect. Instead of giving offenders a ride to the bar after the couple days they spend behind "bars", see the irony of this. They should give them treatment and counseling in jail and make the town safer for all.

-- Posted by Retirmentcanbefun on Tue, Feb 16, 2010, at 1:53 PM
Great. How much is this program going to cost the taxpayers? Between the so-called court system is this county and the joke of a Prosecutor I am surprised our county isn't a haven for drunk drivers. Oh wait a minute, IT IS. I can still remember if you got a DUI/DWI you automatically lost your driving priviledges for 5 years and at least $10,000 in court and attorney costs. If you were real stupid and got a second one, you were not operating a motor vehicle for life. But hey, come to Elmore county and we'll sentence you 180 days, 179 days suspended. $350 court fees with $300 suspended. Or the prosecutor might just dismiss it. Meetcha at the bar after court!

-- Posted by GFYS69 on Thu, Feb 18, 2010, at 2:46 AM

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