Drug Courts in Wyoming

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming,United States
• Citation: Vol. 31 No. 4 Pg. 1
• Publication year: 2008
• Pages: 1
• Year: 2008
• topic: Public Sector Law,Social Security

Wyoming Bar Journal 2008.

Vol. 31, No. 4, #1. Drug Courts in Wyoming

Wyoming Bar Journal
Issue: August, 2008

Author: Gregory J. Blenkinsop

Drug Courts in Wyoming

What is a Drug Court? Drug Courts are not actually courts at all. They are team-based programs operated under the supervision of a magistrate or judge designed to stop the cycle of substance abuse and the criminal activity associated with it. These programs often deal with issues other than drugs and are also referred to as problem-solving courts

The first Drug Court in the United States began in Miami-Dade County, Florida, in 1989. Since that time the Drug Court movement has swept across the country and there are now 2,147 Drug Courts in the nation. As discussed in further detail below, Drug Courts reduce recidivism, save money, and enable people to rebuild their lives through recovery from the abuse of alcohol and controlled substances.

Drug Courts in Wyoming

In Wyoming the decision to start a Drug Court is made at the local level. Each one is designed and implemented locally to best serve the individual community's needs. Starting a program requires the voluntary participation from local team members. Statutorily required team members in Wyoming include the judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, probation officer, and the treatment provider. Other members may be added to the team. Drug Courts around Wyoming often...