Creating a Juvenile Drug Court: The Richmond Experience

• NCJ Number: 196041
• Journal: Juvenile Justice Update Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: April/May 2002 Pages: 1-2,14-15,16
• Author(s): Audrey Franks
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the philosophy behind the Richmond, Virginia juvenile therapeutic drug court model and how the model drug court was implemented.

Abstract

The structure of juvenile drug courts attempts to coerce change in juvenile behavior. First established in 1989, juvenile drug court provides a regimen that combines rehabilitation and strict accountability requiring juveniles to appear before the court over a longer period of time than most docket cases. Intensive supervision by probation officers, as well as longer periods of close supervision by the court is considered a realistic approach in altering behavior. Juvenile drug courts use a team-based collaborative model that includes prosecutors, judges, defense lawyers, school officials, probation officers, and clinicians. Participants in the juvenile drug courts are rewarded on their progress. There are seven essential elements of drug court operation that range from the development of a team to developing strict and regular accountability by the juvenile to the court and judge. The path undertaken in Richmond, Virginia in the planning and implementation of a model juvenile drug court included three steps. First, recruiting a judge that can be a strong advocate of and believer in drug courts. Second, build a team or coalition among community agencies such as schools, service providers, law enforcement agencies, and more. Strong judicial support is essential in getting participants who are essential for planning a drug court to come to the table. Thirdly, plan carefully and deliberately. In Richmond, a 2-year planning period was undertaken. Richmond began its drug court in 1999. Over the planning and implementation process, one of the most important lessons learned was that the dynamics of the group of participants was a factor difficult to anticipate but having a significant impact. After nearly 3 years in operation, the Richmond drug court is currently in the process of a comprehensive evaluation.