Participant
Handbook and Policies
RockdaleCounty
Juvenile Drug Court
922 Court Street
Conyers, Georgia 30012
770.278.7777
May 2017 Fifth Edition
JuvenileCourtofRockdaleCounty
Conyers, GA
Funding for this project provided by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia, & The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court Office:
Phone: 770.278.7777
Drug Court Coordinator, Tiffany Jones, LPC: 770.278.7770; 404.550.8514
Fax: 770.278.8935
Mailing Address: 922 Court Street, P.O. Box 452Conyers, GA 30012
Juvenile Court Office: Room 103
Probation Office:
Department of Juvenile Justice
Phone: 770.388.5036
Dakota White: 404-416-1639
Treatment: A. R. P. Counseling
Jim Morton, LPC; Ashley Goodrich, CAC; Akeia Keith, Morris Thompson
Address: 970 Milstead Ave. North, Conyers, GA30012
Phone: 770.860.8549
Fax: 866.210.1269
E-mail Address:
Triple P Parenting Provider
Carolyn Peacock: 678.760.9500
Rockdale Juvenile Drug Court Team:
Juvenile Drug Court Judge: Honorable Maureen Wood
District Attorney: Timothy McGuire
Public Defender: Rosamund Braunrot
Programs Coordinator: Teresa Gordy
Surveillance Officer: Alonzo Worthy
Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court
Mission Statement
The mission of the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court is to enhance public safety by separating juveniles from harmful substances and the crimes or delinquencies that accompany them through a combination of individualized treatment, personal accountability, and extensive court supervision in order to return a productive, drug-free, and sober juvenile to the community.
As a participant entering the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court, you are expected to follow all the guidelines in this handbook. Please know that you will be required to sign a form indicating that you have read and that you understand the rules outlined in this book.
- Introduction
Program Description:
The Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court places juvenile offenders in counseling and treatment programs to better assist them with the task of overcoming drug and alcohol abuse. We recognize that the varying severities of drug and alcohol abuse are treatable conditions and recovery is more attainable through a treatment process than personal effort alone. We also recognize that, left untreated, alcohol and drug abuse affects not only the abuser/dependent juvenile, but the community as a whole. Therefore, the court requires that all juvenile offenders meeting certain legal criteria be considered for participation in the Juvenile Drug Court, and, if eligible, be offered admission into our program.
This program provides intervention and serves as a meaningful alternative to detention for the participant who can function in the community with support. It is our goal to improve the quality of life and reduce recidivism for the participants in this program. Those who graduate will have a solid foundation to build upon in order to become a productive member of our community. Those participants who successfully complete the Drug Court Program will be eligible to have their cases dismissed and sealed, ensuring the record will not be accessible to anyone outside the Juvenile Court.
The Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court is a collaborative, multi-agency intervention program. The participant receives a thorough case review by his or her attorney and the prosecutor, a series of sanctions and rewards provided by the court, intensive alcohol and/or drug treatment provided by a substance abuse treatment program, and extended supervision and behavioral monitoring provided by probation and law enforcement. All of these offices remain involved and supportive throughout the duration of the juvenile’s tenure in the program.
The Juvenile Drug Court requires a minimum of twelve (12) months and a maximum of twenty-four (24) months and consists of four consecutive phases. All phases of the program encompass vocational and educational components in conjunction with providing substance abuse treatment with judicial oversight.
- Juvenile Drug Court
Judge’s Role
The Juvenile Court Judge is aware of the significant impact of substance abuse on the court system, the lives of juveniles and their families, victims of criminal/delinquent behavior, and the entire community. The Judge is committed to the overall court concept and goals, and works as the guiding partner to ensure participant success. One of the roles of the Juvenile Court Judge is to work with the treatment team in developing protocols and procedures for the court. In the courtroom, the judge will develop a personal, working relationship with you while monitoring your progress.
Outside of the courtroom, however, the Judge has many other daily responsibilities beyond the Juvenile Drug Court, which require judicial attention. Direct contact with him is not permitted. The Judge cannot give you legal advice. Information from you and your family members or friends must go through your treatment provider or the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator. The Judge attends non-court meetings with other team members not only to review and evaluate progress, but also to discuss appropriate alternatives. In addition, the Judge is to be an advocate for the Drug Court by creating community interest and to identify community resources of value to juveniles to enable them to achieve their goal of improving their quality of life.
Prosecutor’s Role
Without the prosecuting attorney’s cooperation and agreement, you would not be afforded the opportunity to participate in the Juvenile Drug Court. The prosecutor determines your eligibility for the Juvenile Drug Court. Their office, along with you, and if represented, your attorney, must agree the Juvenile Drug Court is a suitable alternative for any negotiated plea agreement accepted as a part of the disposition/sentence imposed by the court. Someone from that office attends staffing sessions to evaluate participant progress through the court, potential candidates for the court, and to recommend appropriate sanctions, incentives and rewards for participants. Another role of the prosecutor is to contribute to efforts in community education and acquisition of community resources to aid the court. He or she educates peers, colleagues, and other members of the legal community about the benefits that can be derived from a properly operated Juvenile Drug Court. During your participation in this court, it is not appropriate to seek legal counsel from the prosecuting attorney’s office. In the event of a probation revocation hearing, the prosecutor’s office will be advocating the State’s position against you and will make recommendations to the court regarding your continued participation in the court and any sanctions that may be imposed.
defense attorney’S Role
At the time of sentencing when a participant agrees to enter into the Juvenile Drug Court, he or she has the right to have legal counsel to advise and assist with such a decision. Should, for any reason, you be brought before the Court for violating the terms of the Juvenile Drug Court Agreement or Court Disposition/Sentence, you will be informed of the right to legal counsel and a hearing. A defense attorney’s role is to evaluate the participant’s legal situation and protect his/her legal rights. Additionally, the defense attorney is available to assist you in determining legal options, treatment options, program conditions, and potential sentencing outcomes. Like the prosecutor, the defense attorney also contributes by educating clients, peers, colleagues, and other members of the legal community about the benefits attributable to a Juvenile Drug Court.
Law Enforcement’s Role
Without the support of local law enforcement, the Juvenile Drug Court would not be in operation. Local law enforcement accepts the concept of Juvenile Drug Courts being the best alternative to reducing repeat drug and alcohol offenses. Participant compliance with program conditions is essential to continual law enforcement support. Law enforcement may be utilized to provide surveillance to ensure participant accountability with court conditions.
PROBATION OFFICER’S ROLE
The probation officer helps in maintaining your accountability in the Juvenile Drug Court. You are to meet with the probation officer as directed. As a condition of your participation in the Juvenile Drug Court, your probation officer has the authority to visit you anytime, day or night at home or at work. During these visits you may be subject to drug and alcohol screens. Furthermore, the probation officer attends staffing to inform the Judge and treatment providers of your progress.
COURT COORDINATOR’S ROLE
The Court Coordinator is the administrator of the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court. He or she, along with the prosecutor’s office, reviews each case to determine if you are eligible for the Juvenile Drug Court. It is also their job to facilitate the communication and contact between all members of the Court Team. The Coordinator will meet with you when necessary about any aspect of the Juvenile Drug Court as well as will monitor your account for the Court. Attending weekly staffing with the Treatment Clinicians and with the rest of the Court Team is another important aspect of this role. The Court Coordinator also keeps the Judge informed on the most updated information regarding each participant. Likewise, the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator is to inform, update and educate the public about the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court.
TREATMENT PROVIDER’S ROLE
The initial role of the treatment provider is to assess each participant to see what treatment is necessary for your individual needs. One of their many roles is to maintain yourtreatment plan as a participant in the Juvenile DrugCourt. Each counselor staffs with all members of the Court Team to keep them informed of participants’ progress through treatment. It is your counselor’s responsibility to relay any information pertinent to your continued abstinence and sobriety to the Judge and the rest of the Team and vice versa.
- Eligibility Criteria
Adolescents ages 14-17 who come intocontact with the Juvenile Justice System (in rare cases 13 year-olds) may be eligible for this program. The youth must also meet the criteria for substance use disorder (DSM-5) in the moderate to severe range. Additionally the adolescent must present with moderate to high risk and need factors related to criminal thinking and behavior. The Drug Court Coordinator will screen potential candidates referred by the Court by administering the Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE) and Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory 2.0 to determine eligibility. Drug Court Team also discusses cases and determines appropriateness (usually do not allow serious drug dealers or violent offenders).
- Program Guidelines
Courtroom Behavior
Attendance in court is a critical and mandatory condition of participation in the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court. If you report early, please wait outside the courtroom until allowed inside. You must be on time. If you are late you will be asked to remain outside the courtroom for the duration of the status conference. The Judge and/or someone from the Juvenile Drug Court Team will address you once the status conference is over.Schedules of Juvenile Drug Court dates are given out on a regular basis. (If the schedule should change, you will be notified of any such changes regarding those dates in timely manner). Handouts with the most current status conference dates are kept in the Juvenile Drug Court Office at all times should you lose yours or need another copy.
Your dress should be appropriate for a court appearance and should not include hats or sunglasses. Additionally, clothes displaying offensive language or advertising alcohol or other drugs is not permitted. Loud and disruptive behavior is unacceptable. You should not read or sleep in the courtroom. No food, drink, pagers, cell phones, or other distracting items are allowed. No guests (excluding parents and/or guardians) are allowed in Juvenile Drug Court unless they have permission from the Judge to attend. A request must be written and submitted two weeks in advance.
When addressed by the Judge, you should respond by speaking clearly and directly. You should always remain until dismissed. The court will appropriately address violations of courthouse property or courtroom behavior.
ATTENDANCE/LEAVE REQUESTS
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. As a participant in the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court, you are required to attend all meetings as assigned. Failure to attend will result in progressive sanctions. Special requests to be excused from meetings must be staffed and approved by the Juvenile Drug Court Team. Request to miss any Juvenile Drug Courtsession, group meeting, check-in or to leave the jurisdiction of this court (i.e. being away from your primary residence of record for any given period of time) must meet the following requirements:
1. All requests are to be submitted in writing a minimum of one week in advance to your Treatment Provider or Drug Court Coordinator. There is a form that you may pick up from your counselor or Drug Court Coordinator to request leave. The form must be completed and returned before the one-week deadline prior to the requested date of leave.
2. All requests must have verified documentation attached (i.e. note from a doctor, school, or work, or court letterhead explaining the situation and signed by a person in authority. The documentation must include a phone number.) If you suddenly become sick a doctor’s excuse will be required as to avoid sanctioning. Turn this into the Drug Court Coordinator to avoid sanctioning.
If you do not have permission to be away from your primary residence of record, then under no circumstances should you be anywhere else, even if it is just overnight. Only legitimate excuses will be considered. In the event of a sudden illness and/or death of an *immediate family member, then proceed as needed. But, you must contact the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator and your treatment provider by phone no later than the close of the next business day to determine your return to treatment. If you miss group or a check-in, and you did not have prior consent, you are required to report to the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator between 9 a.m. and noon the following day. Any and all unexcused absences will result in sanctions to be determined by the Drug Court Team.
*For the purposes of this manual “immediate family” includes spouse, children and grandchildren, siblings, parents, and grandparents only.
HONESTY
Honesty is a core component of the Rockdale County Juvenile Drug Court. The goal of this Court is to improve your quality of life. Dishonesty will only impede your recovery and hold back your progression through the Court. It is your responsibility to disclose any violation of the terms of this Court to yourtreatment provider, probation officer, and the Juvenile Drug Court Office. Dishonesty of any form: lying, adulterated drug screens, fraudulent documents, etc. will not be tolerated and will be severely sanctioned. Defrauding or lying to this Court could possibly lead to a participant’s termination from the court and/or detention time. Your honesty is essential to your participation in the Rockdale County Drug Court.
MEDICATION
As you will learn during your participation in the Juvenile Drug Court, cross addiction is real. Many of you were already using more than one substance when you entered this Court. You may find that it is easy to change from one mood-altering substance to another if you continue to manipulate your mood with a mind-altering substance instead of new thoughts and new activities. By continuing to chemically alter your mood you will remain in an unhealthy cycle.
There are many reasons that you may continue to feel the need to use such a variety of substances. One of the most common reasons to turn to other substances is insomnia, or sleeplessness. You may be tempted to return to using sleeping medications within a short period of time because of poorly developed abilities to get yourself to sleep (these skills can be developed: warm milk, reading, meditation, etc.).The second leading excuse to continue using or switch to a new substance is pain. If you choose to use mood-altering analgesics (pain-killers), most notably any of the narcotic drugs (Lortab, Percocet, Darvocet, Darvon, etc.), you are extremely likely to return to your drug of choice by short-circuiting your ability to control impulsive action. You have to be very cautious when you become physically ill, even with respiratory diseases such as a cold, the flu, or pneumonia because many of the drugs used to treat these conditions cause mood changes and decreased ability to control impulses. There are many compounds that will cause you to crave a drink/drug…especially watch out for cough syrups.
It is difficult to remember which drugs to avoid (i.e. what you can take and what you shouldn’t take). You have to take responsibility for all of your future drug use, because not every physician, pharmacist, or dentist knows about the nature of your substance abuse. If you have a particular problem, be sure and discuss it with your Treatment Provider. No drug of any kind is to be taken without physician approval and prior notice to your Treatment Provider, probation officer, and the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator.