The Drug Treatment Court is a special type of court that helps people whose crimes are linked to drug use.
Instead of a prison sentence, you may be offered a chance to join the Drug Treatment Court programme.
This programme gives you support to stop using drugs, take part in treatment and education, and build a better life. It is completely voluntary, you can leave the programme at any time.
To succeed, you must:
- Be willing to work with the Drug Treatment Court team
- Attend court regularly
- Take part in all stages of the programme
If you successfully complete the programme, you will not receive a prison sentence.
How the court process starts
Each week, the Drug Treatment Court team meets to review your case.
At your first court appearances:
- A Garda will outline any previous convictions
- Your solicitor will attend with you for the first few weeks
- The court registrar will call your name, and you’ll sit near the judge
- The judge will speak to you directly and use your first name
You’ll be told about the programme and given appointments for assessment with:
- The addictions nurse
- The probation officer
- The education officer
These meetings help explain the programme and what’s expected of you. You’ll be remanded on continuing bail to return the following week.
If the team feels you’re suitable to join, the nurse will design a treatment plan based on your needs. You’ll then:
- Sign this treatment plan in court
- Sign a new Drug Treatment Court bail bond
- Officially start on the programme
If your previous bail bond had conditions, those conditions still apply.