Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2005
Source: Hattiesburg American (MS)
NEWS0 1/502010311/1002
Copyright: 2005 Hattiesburg American
Contact:  http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1646
Author: Nikki Davis Maute
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

STARRETT TO UTILIZE DRUG COURT

Those accused of federal drug crimes could end up in a Forrest County drug 
court.

Keith Starrett was the state's first circuit judge to develop a 
felony-level drug court operation in Mississippi. Forrest-Perry Circuit 
Court Judge Bob Helfich, who modeled his court after the one started by 
Starrett when he was a circuit judge, offered to take some federal cases.

"I saw no reason to duplicate what was available and when Judge Helfrich 
offered, I accepted," said Starrett, now U.S. District Court judge in 
Hattiesburg. "I see this as a good way for state and federal courts to 
cooperate."

Starrett's drug court became a model for many of the 13 drug courts in the 
state that have developed since 1999.

Starrett has already assigned one person in his court to the Forrest program.

"I made it part of his probation, to complete drug court," Starrett said. 
"Judge Helfrich has a good program with a good staff."

Drug Court participants are given the option of going to jail or pursuing 
treatment. If they choose the latter, they are required to attend weekly 
meetings, hold jobs, pay court fees and pass drug tests.

The drill is a familiar one for Starrett.

"We've been to his court a number of times," Helfrich said of the operation 
run by Starrett. "We basically modeled our operation after his."

Helfrich has another tie to the judge.

Starrett's daughter, Leah Claire Bennett, a doctoral student in psychology 
at the University of Southern Mississippi, volunteers her time to provide 
free evaluations for drug court participants.

"She grew up with a drug court operation, although I don't suspect she ever 
thought she would be involved with one," Starrett said.

About 637 offenders who have drug and alcohol abuse problems are currently 
participating in the state's drug courts.

The Forrest-Perry Drug Court has more than 80 participants.

Starrett said he knows how the drug court is operating in the 14th Circuit 
because he calls Pike County weekly for an update.

With no successor named for his circuit position, Starrett keeps up with 
the drug operation in Pike County.

"I care about this program because it works and I don't want to see the 
district lose it," Starrett said.

[Sidebar]

How It Works

# When suspects are arrested they are given the opportunity to have their 
cases referred to a drug court. The program is for non-violent and 
primarily first-time offenders.

# Defendants plead guilty and enter the program where they can stay for up 
to five years.

# As part of the deal, those in the program face regular testing for drug 
or alcohol use.

# Those in the program must pay restitution to crime victims. Defendants 
must perform a maximum 150 hours of community service.
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