Drug Court
The mission of the Walworth County Drug Court (WCDC) is to enhance public safety, reduce incarceration days, and help those affected by addiction Walworth County. By effectively partnering with government agencies and community resources, the WCDC will focus on the continually growing issues of addiction and criminal behaviors.
Overview
The WCDC is a five-phase intervention program for adults who have been charged and plead guilty to a Possession of Heroin felony charge and who are having difficulty staying clean and sober. It is a collaborative effort between the:
- Case Management
- Circuit Court
- Community Agencies
- Defense Attorneys
- Police Agencies
- Probation Department
- Treatment Programs
By working together, the team seeks to provide a variety of programs and consistent supervision geared toward supporting and helping you maintain a drug and alcohol-free life.
Expectations
The WCDC involves frequent court appearances, random drug and alcohol testing as well as group and individual counseling. The Court awards incentives for compliant behavior and imposes sanctions for negative behavior. Participants who do not comply with the rules may be placed in short-term custody, have phase movement delayed or face a variety of other sanctions. They may also be terminated from the program. All of the staff working with the program will assist you to be sure you understand what is expected of you.
The Drug Court Team
The WCDC Judge will make all decisions regarding your participation in the WCDC with input from the WCDC Team. In addition to the Judge, the Team consists of the following members:
- Clerk of Courts Representative
- Corrections Representative
- Defense Attorney - Role Is to Protect the Rights of the Defendant
- Law Enforcement Representative
- Probation Agent(s) - Provides Direct Supervision of Participants
- Program Evaluator
- Treatment Court Coordinator - Conduct Screenings for New Participants
- Treatment Provider(s) - Responsible for Educating the Participants and Helping Them Deal with Alcohol/Drug Abuse Issues
Incentives
Incentives to participate in the WCDC program include:
- Minimum mandatory jail sentence
- Minimum mandatory fine
- Monetary savings
- Access to quality treatment
- Large support system
- Ability to complete GED through partnership with Gateway Technical College
Eligibility
This program is designed to serve high risk/ high need individuals who have significant substance dependence issues. In order to be determined eligible to participate in the WCDC, the defendant must meet the following criterion:
- Be an adult, Walworth County resident
- Be a legal resident of the United States of America as demonstrated by passport, birth certificate, or green card
- Charged with of a crime
- Be addicted to illicit drugs and are at substantial risk for reoffending
- No history of violent behavior including offenses involving a weapon
- Have no criminal cases pending in any jurisdiction (all charges need to be resolved prior to starting the program)
- Apply in writing by completing the program application form and all necessary screening/assessment requirements
Additional Information
For more information, please contact your attorney or Sheri Skomski, Treatment Court Coordinator at 262-741-3247. The first step to acceptance into the WCDC is to schedule a screening and determine your eligibility.