Ohio Drug Courts
The adoption of Senate Bill 2 in 1996 and revisions to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2951.041, Intervention in Lieu of Conviction, have led to an increased use of drug courts throughout Ohio. Drug courts handle the adjudication and treatment of individuals facing lesser felony drug charges instead of sentencing them to prison terms.
The drug court programs in Dayton and Montgomery County provide a collaborative and supportive system of rehabilitation that requires offenders to comply with supervision and treatment guidelines. If you are eligible for a drug court program, your participation and successful completion could lead to the charges against you being reduced or completely dismissed.
Dayton Drug Courts Lawyer
If you have been arrested for any type of drug charges, you are not automatically enrolled in an Ohio drug court program. Depending on the nature of your offense and the eligibility requirements of your local drug court, you will want to speak to a knowledgeable Dayton drug courts attorney to make sure you qualify.
The Joslyn Law Firm represents individuals all over Montgomery County facing drug charges, including New Carlisle, Troy, Piqua, and Beavercreek. We can evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of action to obtain the most favorable outcome for both your immediate and long-term needs. Send us a message online or call (937) 356-3969 to schedule a free consultation where our experienced Dayton criminal defense lawyers can review your case.
Montgomery County Drug Courts Information Center
- How Ohio Drug Courts Work
- Who is Eligible for Ohio Drug Courts
- Factors That Can Disqualify Individuals from Ohio Drug Courts
How Ohio Drug Courts Work
Individuals who have been arrested on drug possession charges are typically screened for drug court program eligibility. Shortly after their arrests, those who enter programs will frequently meet with case managers, submit to urine tests to prove sobriety, possibly attend NA (Narcotics Anonymous) or other 12-step program meetings, and comply with all other requirements set by the case managers.
Failure to comply with the program triggers a series of graduated sanctions. The length of an Ohio Drug Courts program varies depending on the nature of the charges against the individual. Successful completion of the program can result in reduced fines and having charges dismissed.
Who is Eligible for Ohio Drug Courts
A Dayton drug courts lawyer can review your particular case to determine whether you qualify to participate in the program. Some of the factors you will need to meet in order to enter an Ohio Drug Courts program include, but are not limited to:
- You must be charged with a fourth- or fifth-degree felony offense
- You must have sufficient motivation for treatment or to change
- You must meet Ohio’s sentencing guidelines for a presumption for probation.
- You have to be diagnosed as primarily having a chemical dependency
Factors That Can Disqualify Individuals from Ohio Drug Courts
Just as you will have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for a Dayton drug court program, there are certain factors that can prevent you from being considered. Some of the reasons that individuals are disqualified from presenting a case can include:
- Multiple prior felonies
- Prior contempt charges
- Prior drug trafficking or distribution convictions
- Prior violent crimes convictions
- Alleged offense is gun-related
- Alleged charges are violent or sexually-oriented
Find the Best Ohio Drug Courts Lawyer in Dayton
Participation in the drug court program can help you avoid a lengthy jail sentence and has also been found to result in lower recidivism rates. The Joslyn Law Firm helps clients facing drug charges in Dayton as well as communities like Springfield, Fairborn, Kettering, Huber Heights, and Xenia.
Our dedicated Ohio Drug Courts attorneys can review your case during a free, confidential consultation. Contact the Joslyn Law Firm as soon as possible at (937) 356-3969 or send us a message online to see how we can help you.
