Mississippi Drug Court Lawyer
Mississippi’s drug court program is a fairly recent development in Mississippi law that offers a “treatment-based” approach to non-violent drug offenders. If your case is eligible, and it is diverted into a drug court program, you will undergo short and long-term treatment and counseling, a different “sanction and reward” system, and some additional court appearances. In exchange, if you successfully complete the program you may be entitled to a dismissal of your charges, a reduced or set-aside sentence, or you may qualify for a lesser penalty in your case.
If you are charged with a drug offense in Mississippi and retain us for your defense, our first objective will be to win your case. We are going to conduct an extensive and exhaustive independent investigation of the facts available, and the discovery we receive from the prosecutor in your case. We will carefully review and prepare your case and consult with you about taking your case to trial, and if that is not possible we will look at other alternatives to obtain the best result for you. The Mississippi Drug Court Program is certainly one option that we will consider.
Eligibility for the Mississippi Drug Court Program
According to Section 9-23-15 of the Mississippi Code Annotated, in order to be eligible for alternative sentencing through the drug court program:
- The participant cannot have any felony convictions for any offenses which are crimes of violence.
- The crime before the court cannot be a crime of violence.
- Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against the participant.
- The participant cannot have been currently charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling.
- The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.
- The crime charged cannot be one of distribution, sale, possession with intent to distribute, production, manufacture or cultivation of controlled substances, nor can the participant have a prior conviction for same.
What can happen if I successfully complete the drug court program?
If you successfully complete the conditions placed on you by the judge in the drug court program, including paying the fines and fees associated with the program, the charge and prosecution shall be dismissed. We can also apply to have your criminal conviction expunged (removed from your record).
For more information
Drugs courts are not available in every jurisdiction in the state. According to the Mississippi Drug Court law, the Administrative Office of Courts (“AOC”) is responsible for certifying all drug court programs in the state, and ensuring that all drug court programs comply with all applicable state and federal regulations. The AOC has a detailed description of the Mississippi Drug Court program, including all of the jurisdictions where drug courts are located, available on its website here.
Contact an experienced Mississippi drug offense lawyer
If you would like to discuss your Mississippi drug case with us, please call The Guthrie Firm, PLLC at 601-991-1099 or toll-free at 866-991-1055. Feel free to contact us by email as well. Initial consultations are free, and we have reasonable rates and payment plans on criminal cases. The Guthrie Firm is proud to represent clients who are facing drug charges throughout the state of Mississippi. Our commitment is to defend our clients to the best of our ability, and to protect their constitutional rights. Contact us today. We are here to help.
