The Twelfth Circuit Drug-DUI-Veterans Court serves Forrest & Perry Counties. The Drug Court is a structured and accountable alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders with issues of substance abuse and chemical dependency. Drug Court is designed to enhance the health and lives of the offenders and their families by providing court-supervised treatment and rehabilitation to allow them to return to society as productive taxpaying citizens. Participation is not guaranteed, and individuals must be evaluated, screened and approved for participation in Drug Court. The DUI Court is an accountability court dedicated to changing the behavior of the DUI Offenders by using substance abuse interventions and treatment with defendants who plead guilty of driving under the influence. The goal of DUI Court is to protect public safety by using the highly successful Drug Court Model that uses accountability and substance abuse treatment.

The Veteran's Treatment Court is based on drug and/or mental health courts. Substance abuse and/or mental health treatment is offered as an alternative to incarceration. Veteran mentors assist with our program. The goal is to divert those with substance abuse and mental health issues and homelessness from the traditional system and to give them treatment and tools for rehabilitation and readjustment.

Persons who are accepted participate in a highly structured program. This includes:

• Weekly Court Appearances
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Random and Frequent Drug Screenings
• Support Program Referral
• Monthly Fees for Counseling
• Meetings with Probation Officer/Case Manager

What's involved?

• Evaluations/assessments are conducted prior to determining appropriate substance abuse treatment.
• The Program is a minimum of 3 years. The Program is conducted in 4 phases. Phase advancement is contingent on meeting all requirements of each phase.
• Participants are subject to sanctions for violations of program requirements and eligible for incentive rewards.
• Participants are either employed are attending school during the program.