Mission
The Clayton County Drug Court Program strives to reduce
recidivism while improving the quality of life for nonviolent,
chemically addicted offenders, their family and the community at
large. This is done by providing supervision, substance abuse
treatment and positive reinforcement through a structured,
cost-effective program. It is the goal of the Clayton Drug Court to
facilitate inter-agency collaboration by utilizing a
multi-disciplinary team approach to ensure public safety.
About the Drug Court Program
The Drug Court is a intensive-probation, judicially supervised
substance abuse treatment program. To enter the program,
participants much must meet eligibility requirements and plead
guilty to their current charges, which can not later be expunged
from their criminal records. This is true regardless of whether or
not they successfully complete the Drug Court. Upon the
successful completion of the Drug Court program and a phase of
After-Care, the remainder of the participant's probation sentence
is waived.
The Honorable Judge Albert B. Collier presides over the Clayton
County Drug Court. Partner agencies that make the Drug Court
work include:
- Clayton Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office
- Clayton Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office
- Georgia Department of Corrections, Morrow Probation Office
- Clayton County Sheriff's Office
- Clayton County Police Department
- Clayton State University
- The Clayton Center
Program Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
1. Offender must be charged in Clayton County.
2. Offender must be 18 year of age or older.
3. Offender's current charge(s) cannot involve a violent or
sexual offense nor shall the offender have any violent or sexual
offense convictions in the past.
4. The current charge must be nonviolent and drug property related
or such as:
- Forgery or related offenses,
- Theft related offenses,
- Possession of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or
unlawful prescription,
- Burglary, or
- Damage to property.
5. Offenders who have no more than two prior felony convictions
and/or juvenile adjudications of delinquency.
6. The offender must not have pending felonies in any other
jurisdiction.
7. Offenders must not be subject to a sex-offender registration
requirement.
8. Offender must have an identifiable substance abuse
problem.
9. Offenders must reside in Clayton County.
10. Offenders current charge must not involve the possession or
use of a dangerous weapon during the commission of the current
crime or when arrested for the current crime.
11. Offender must have sufficient emotional stability, mental and
intellectual capacity to be capable of participation in the program
according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
12. Upon the consent of the Drug Court Team, probation violations
on felony cases may be screened for eligibility if the
offense for which the person was placed on probation does not
otherwise make the person ineligible under the offender eligibility
criteria.
Disqualifying Criteria
1. Refusal to cooperate with screening and assessment
procedures, or unwillingness to participate in required programming
or abide by program rules.
2. Person whose mental health or medical issues would prevent them
from being able to actively participate in and complete the
program.
3. Offenders charged with any drug offense that involves the sale
of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver
controlled substances and possession of 28 grams or more of
controlled narcotic substances will not be eligible.
4. Offenders with previously severe mental disorders, to include
mental retardation, dementia, hallucinations, paranoia, or other
personality disorders.
5. Offenders previously terminated from the Clayton County Drug
Court.
For More information
Raquel D. Gonzalez
Adult Felony Drug Court Coordinator
Clayton County Superior Court
9151 Tara Boulevard, Suite 3CA01
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Telephone: (770) 472-4309
Fax:(770) 477-4485
raquel.gonzalez@co.clayton.ga.us