Drug Court

The mission of the Yuma County Adult Drug Court is to counter the devastating effects of drugs on the community and individuals by providing selected nonviolent drug offenders with an opportunity to achieve a chemical-free lifestyle. This is accomplished through Court-coordinated intervention, interactions, diversion, supervision, rewards, sanctions, and graduated levels of drug education, treatment and accountability.

The Yuma County Drug Court Program is a Court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for nonviolent defendants. This is a voluntary program that includes regular Court appearances before a designated Drug Court Judge. Treatment, which includes drug testing, individual and group counseling, requires regular attendance at traditional and optional untraditional, bible-based, 12-step meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, or other recovery-conducive groups. Treatment is provided by the Yuma County Adult Probation counselors in most cases. Case managers and Counselors assist with obtaining assessments for educational and skill related needs and provide referrals for vocational training, educations and/or job placement services. The program length is a minimum of eighteen months and is composed of two tracks, Track I for pre-conviction cases and Track II for post-conviction cases.

If the defendant is eligible for Tract I, he or she will be offered a choice between Drug Court and prosecution of pending charges. A Deputy Public Defender or the defendant's private attorney will advise the prospective defendant of the choice and discuss the Drug Court Program with the defendant. If the defendant is accepted into the program, the Special Drug Court Defense Counsel will to represent the applicant throughout their Drug Court participation. Successful graduation from the program will result in the dismissal of charges. Failure to complete the program may result in conviction and sentencing on the original charge(s). In Track II, the probationers may be referred to Drug Court through the Superior Court at the defendant's attorney's request or as a result of a Petition to Modify Conditions of Probation or a Petition to Revoke Probation. Successful completion and graduation from the program will result in early termination of probation.

In April of 2008, the Yuma County Adult Drug Court Program celebrated its' 10 year Anniversary. Since the inception of the program, over 732 participants have received services. Yuma County has the third largest Adult Drug Court Program in the State and has a 65% Graduation rate.