Pubdate: Mon, 03 Jan 2005
Source: Post-Crescent, The (Appleton,  WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443
Note: Filed by the Oshkosh Northwestern, Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

WINNEBAGO COUNTY EXPLORES STARTING DRUG COURT PROGRAM

OSHKOSH -- A coalition of judges and Winnebago County departments are 
beginning the planning stages of a court program that, if instituted, would 
treat the addictions behind drug-related crimes.

Members of the Winnebago County Safe Streets Initiative announced plans to 
institute a drug court program in Winnebago County.

Drug courts generally deal with to address drug issues without jail or 
prison terms through frequent court contact, regular drug testing and 
treatment. Judges often use jail as a sanction for those who violate the 
terms of their drug court program.

Those who abide by rules and complete requirements have their criminal 
charges dropped.

Three Wisconsin counties -- Dane, La Crosse and Monroe -- are operating 
drug courts.

Winnebago County Circuit Judge Scott Woldt cited the success of programs 
like that in Hastings, Minn., which reaches out to both drug and alcohol 
defendants.

"They had a 17 percent reduction in recidivism," he said. "They're 
two-and-half times bigger than Winnebago County and they have half the 
number of people in their jail than we do here."

While such programs have only been used in the United States since 1989, 
research has found that they've met several goals.

The average recidivism rate nationwide for those who complete a drug court 
program is between 4 and 29 percent, compared with 48 percent among drug 
defendants who do not participate in drug courts, according to the National 
Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Woldt would like to take a Winnebago County drug court in a direction that 
hasn't been taken in Wisconsin, and he'll need a change in state law to do it.

He requested the County Board lobby the state Legislature to allow courts 
to sentence second- and third-time drunken drivers to probation, which 
would allow them to participate in the program. Currently, jail sentences 
and fines are the only sentencing options judges have for those arrested on 
second or third drunken driving offenses.

- ------------------

If You Go

What: Judge Scott Woldt and representatives from Hastings, Minn. will 
discuss the Safe Streets program during a meeting of the Winnebago County 
Board.

Where: Winnebago County Courthouse, fourth floor

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman