News

14th District Drug Court graduation is Monday, May 15

May 12, 2006

The 14th Circuit Court District Drug Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Monday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. at the Horace Holmes Student Union Hall at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit.

Rep. Bobby Moak of Bogue Chitto will be the keynote speaker. Circuit Judge Michael M. Taylor will preside over the program.

At least 21 people are expected to graduate from the program. Also, 25 people will be recognized for progressing to Phase 4 of the Drug Court program, which is a year of non-reporting probation, and 29 will progress to Phase 3, where they must complete a year of monthly reporting and drug testing, plus another year of non-reporting probation.

Phase 1 is in-patient treatment. Phase 2 includes weekly reporting to the judge and drug testing twice a week.

The 14th District Drug Court program began operation in 1999 in Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties. It is the state’s oldest drug court program.

A total of 83 people previously completed the program. Monday’s graduation is expected to bring that number to 104.

After the graduation, 189 people will remain enrolled in the 14th District Drug Court program.

Drug courts seek to rehabilitate drug-using offenders through drug treatment and intense supervision with drug testing and frequent court appearances. Drug courts offer the incentive of a chance to remain out of jail and be employed, and the sanction of a jail sentence if participants fail to remain drug-free and in compliance with all program requirements.

Among Monday’s graduates, 15 will be eligible to have their criminal records expunged.

Mississippi has 16 active drug court programs. For more information about drug courts in Mississippi, go to the web site of the Mississippi Supreme Court, www.mssc.state.ms.us, then click on “AOC.”

####