‘Focus of proposed drug court are those with drug history’

The focus of the proposed CNMI drug court is for those who have a history of drug abuse, according to Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman.

Drug-related crime offenders who have serious criminal records and addiction are also eligible for the drug court, said retired Utah judge Steven Hansen.

Wiseman and Hansen explained how a drug court works during yesterday’s CNMI Bar Association meeting at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Giovanni’s Restaurant.

Wiseman said all 50 states have at least one drug court and the scourge of methamphetamine or “ice” has driven a momentum to establish one in the CNMI. He said the consensus is that now is the best time to have a drug court to solve the problem with “ice.”

The judge said Gov. Eloy S. Inos and lawmakers are exploring ways to fund drug court programs.

“Drug courts are problem-solving courts that recognize the problem and address it in a highly-targeted evidence-based fashion. It’s why drug courts receive universal acclaim for its results,” Wiseman said.

He said the proposed CNMI drug court will be a specialized, problem-solving court that incorporates drug dependency treatment with intensive court supervision for qualifying defendants.

Wiseman said the drug court starts when someone is arrested for a drug-related crime, then the prosecutor and the defense attorney decide whether this drug offender is eligible for drug court.

A drug offender will be presented with a program contract, which may offer no prison term if he or she completes drug court without issue.

Wiseman said the court may review that contract and allow the drug offender into a drug court program that will regularly administer drug tests, provide counseling, and intensive supervision.

In some cases, Wiseman said, drug offenders who complete the program will have a real shot at getting employed without having the weight of a drug-related criminal record.

He said most drug courts have members of the community, civic, and other groups as active participants in the program, which can assist with family matters during treatment, line up possible job prospects, and provide a variety of other needs.

Hansen, who has successfully implemented two drug courts in the U.S. mainland, is currently here on Saipan from Provo, Utah, to help with the formation of the CNMI’s drug court.

Hansen told Bar members how a drug court works and discussed the drug court agreement with a defendant.

Hansen said in this program, judicial leadership is very important because judges will be involved in discussions with lawyers and other members.

He emphasized that community participation is also very important. “I’m glad we have people who are willing to work with this program.”

Hansen urged lawyers to enter their clients in the program.

The retired judge said that, as a balancing act, a judge can’t be tough because it will destroy the incentive.

“We don’t impose sanctions too quickly,” Hansen pointed out.

He said the drug court wants participants to graduate after a year of treatment.