To be accepted to participate in Oswego County’s Drug Treatment Court, the defendant must be over the age of 16 and meet these criteria:

• Be charged with a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor, or have a violation of probation;
• Have no prior convictions for a violent offense;
• Have a drug abuse problem; and
• Be approved by the Drug Treatment Court screening committee.

Enrollment Procedures:

• The defendant pleads guilty to a criminal charge and signs a contract agreeing to the rules of the program.
• The contract specifies the sentence which will be imposed if the defendant doesn't complete the program.
• The original plea will be reduced or dismissed when the defendant successfully completes the program.
• If the defendant is terminated from the program, the original plea remains in effect, and the previously agreed upon sentence is imposed.

What to expect:

• Intensive Judicial Supervision: Program participants appear before the County Court Judge on a regular basis to review their progress.
  
• Drug Treatment Program: All program participants undergo a substance abuse evaluation and engage in a drug treatment program for at least a year.
  
• Drug Testing: All program participants are randomly tested for drugs to verify abstinence.
  
• Graduated Sanctions and Incentives: A system of rewards and punishments is used by the Judge in response to the participant’s progress and behavior in the program.
  
• Reduction or Dismissal of Original Criminal Charges: Upon successful completion of the Drug Treatment Court Program, the original criminal charges will either be reduced or dismissed.