Mission

Pierce County Drug Court will effectively use tax dollars and community resources to promote public safety and reduce crime through court-monitored treatment of offenders.

Goals

To promote self-sufficiency by reducing drug abuse through Drug Court treatment
      To provide an integrated program of drug treatment, drug abuse education, and rehabilitation services.
      To promote public safety by reducing recidivism.
      To examine the cost-effectiveness of the program thereby demonstrating cost savings to  the taxpayer.

                                       The Drug Court Team

Honorable Judge Joseph Boles                           Pierce County Circuit Court Judge

Julia Gehring                                                      Court Commissioner

John O’Boyle                                                     District Attorney

Samatha Brill                                                                     Probation and Parole

Liesl Nelson                                                       State Public Defender

Vacant                                                     Drug Court Coordinator

Jerry Nelson                                                      Pierce County Sheriff’s Department

Jeremy Brookshaw                                            Pierce County Sheriff’s Department

Eligibility Criteria

            An offender is eligible to participate in the Pierce County Drug Court if
      The defendant is a resident of Pierce County.
      The defendant is charged with a felony in Pierce County.
      The defendant is charged with a felony offense while under the influence of or while   in the possession of illegal drugs, or while addicted to drugs where there is some relationship between the addiction and the commission of the offense.
      The defendant is willing to comply with the Drug Court Program rules.
      The defendant is found, through the use of a screening tool to be a person who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.
      The defendant is able to physically participate in treatment activities (within guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act).
      The defendant’s criminal record check must disclose no other pending felony charges, no prior violent felony convictions, and no domestic battery convictions.

Referral

Referrals to the Pierce County Drug Court Program may come from the following sources:

              The District Attorney’s Office
        Probation and Parole Agent
        The Defense Attorney

Calendar

Drug Court meets weekly in the West Wing of the Pierce County Circuit Court on Tuesdays at 8:30 am. The Drug Court team meets prior to Drug Court at 8:00 am. Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend the 8:30 am Drug Court session.

Treatment and Testing

There are three phases in the Pierce County Drug Court Program

Phase one = 3 months

Phase two = 4 months

Phase three = 6 months

Participant’s can expect to be in Drug Court for a minimum of 13 to 18 months.

Participants attend court Weekly, BI-Weekly and Monthly depending on the phase they are in and/or as determined by the Drug Court team.

Participants will be involved in random drug and alcohol testing to check for compliance with the Drug Court Program.

Participants will be in a treatment program determined by their AODA Counselor and the Drug Court team.

Participants will be expected to attend a minimum of 3 support meetings every week.

The Drug Court Team decides when a participant can move on to the next phase of their program.

Forms

            Attorney Drug Court Referral
      Participant Handbook 
      Policies and Procedures Manual

Contact Information

For further information or to make a referral to the Drug Court Program, please contact:

Julie Krings
Interim Pierce County Drug Court Coordinator
Office: 715-273-3531 ext. 6773
Fax: 715-273-6860
Email: julie.krings@co.pierce.wi.us