Murfreesboro Drug Attorney Frank Lannom

What is the Rutherford and Cannon County Drug Court Program?

The Rutherford County Drug Court handles cases involving drug-addicted offenders through an extensive supervision and treatment program. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances. It is located at 535 N. University Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 37130. The phone number is (615) 217-7124.

Eligibility Criteria for the Drug Court Program

The initial screening criteria includes the following:

• Must meet statutory requirements for suspended sentence
• Must be a non-violent offender
• Must have a current diagnosis of chemical dependency
• Must be a resident of Rutherford or Cannon County
• Offender must voluntarily agree to participate
• Must not be charged with or have a prior conviction for drug trafficking
• Must be potential agreement among sentencing Judge, District Attorney’s office and the accused’s criminal defense attorney that Drug Court would be an appropriate option.
• Cannot have a hold or pending criminal charge from another jurisdiction
• Cannot be acutely mentally ill or suicidal

Rutherford And Cannon County Drug Court Program Overview

Initially, the offender referred to the program reads the Participant Handbook and then fills out an application. An National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background check is requested from the District Attorney’s office. Once the background check is completed, the District Attorney’s office either approves or denies the offender’s admittance into the program. If they are approved, Drug Court staff conducts a personal interview. An Addiction Severity Index and CESI are completed at this time. This information is presented to the Drug Court Review Team and majority vote by the team determines if the offender is appropriate for the program. If the team finds the offender to be appropriate, the information is relayed to the District Attorney’s office, the Defense Attorney and the offender. If the judge is in agreement, the offender is court-ordered into the Drug Court Program.

What Are The Requirements to Graduate Drug Court?

There are 5 phases that must be passed before graduating from drug court.

Phase One-All Phase One Participants: (minimum of two months/60 days)

• Attend court weekly.
• Attend one self-help support group meeting at Recovery Court weekly.
• Turn in journal entry at your court appearance.
• Meet bi-weekly with your Case Manager.
• Pay $50 a month on program fees.
• Attend group therapy weekly (Individual and family sessions as deemed necessary).
• Random urine screen: minimum of two times per week.
• To successfully complete Phase One, participants must have at least 14 days of consecutive negative urine screens, must have attended all group therapy sessions, and complete 90% of the self-help support group meetings.

Phase Two-All Phase Two Participants: (minimum of three months/90 days)

• Attend court every two weeks.
• Attend two self-help support group meetings (one at Recovery Court and one outside meeting) weekly.
• Turn in journal entry at your court appearance.
• Meet bi-weekly with your Case Manager.
• Pay $50 a month on program fees.
• Random urine screen: minimum of two times per week.
• Attend group therapy weekly (Individual and family sessions as deemed necessary).
• To successfully complete Phase Two, participants must have at least 30 days of consecutive negative urine screens, must have attended all group therapy sessions, and complete 90% of the self-help support group meetings. Participants must be gainfully employed and/or be attending an education program (unless excused to a disability by the team).

Phase Three-All Phase Three Participants: (minimum of three months/90 days)

• Attend court every three weeks.
• Attend two outside self-help support group meetings weekly.
• Turn in journal entry at your court appearance.
• Meet bi-weekly with your Case Manager.
• Random urine screen: minimum of two times per week.
• Pay $50 a month on program fees.
• Pay monthly on your Court Costs and Fines balance.
• Attend group therapy weekly (Individual and family sessions as deemed necessary).
• To successfully complete Phase Three, participants must have at least 45 days of consecutive negative urine screens, must have attended all group therapy sessions, and complete 90% of the self-help support group meetings.
• Participants must be gainfully employed and/or be attending an education program (unless excused to a disability by the team).

Phase Four-All Phase Four Participants: (minimum of 4 months/120 days)

Phase Five

• Aftercare if applicable: (maximum of six months/180 days)

• Dependent upon the participant’s needs and/or staff’s recommendation.  Monthly program fee will be assessed to cover costs of drug screens for the month, and/or therapy sessions as deemed necessary.

Graduating from Recovery Court

• When Phase Four is completed, the participant may be presented before the Judge to graduate from the program.
• The participant is given a Graduation Questionnaire.  The participant will complete the Graduation Questionnaire and return this to their case manager.  The participant is also required to write out their graduation speech and attach it to their Graduation Questionnaire.
• The participant will then appear before the Graduation Review Panel.  The Graduation Review Panel will determine if the participant is ready to graduate.
• If the participant is appropriate for graduation, he/she will graduate at the next Graduation Ceremony or as determined by the court.

Attorney Frank Lannom (615) 444-3995