Drug Court

Clatsop County Drug Court began on July 1, 2001 after many months of planning. The Drug Court Steering Committee developed policies and procedures to fit the needs of our community. The program provides treatment as an alternative to prosecution. If the defendant successfully completes the drug court program, criminal charges shall be dismissed with prejudice. There is a Track II Program that provides Drug Court support and treatment for defendants on probation after a criminal conviction. These defendants may be allowed early termination of probation upon successful completion of the Drug Court Program conditions.

A defendant must apply for Drug Court within 45 days of the first scheduled court appearance. Eligible charges are drug-related charges as indicated by the charging instrument, except for commercial transactions and person crimes.

A defendant is eligible for Drug Court if they meet the following criteria:

1. The defendant must not have been through a Drug Court program previously.
2. The defendant must not have had a conditional discharge for drug charges or had a prior drug diversion (a prior conviction is not a disqualifier).
3. The defendant must have no other felonies or Class A person misdemeanors charged in the same charging instruments.
4. The defendant must not have any holds and must be out of custody by the start of the Drug Court Program.
5. The defendant must be a resident of Clatsop County.

If the District Attorney does not object to entry into the Drug Court Program and the Court approves the Drug Court Petition and Agreement, the defendant must plead guilty or no contest and then will be allowed to enter into a conditional discharge. There is a $300.00 filing fee that is paid directly to Clatsop Community Corrections in monthly installments at the direction of Clatsop Community Corrections.

Drug Court hearings are held every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Defendants must appear weekly unless otherwise directed by the Drug Court Judge or probation officer. Defendants also participate in treatment as needed by a recommended treatment program. Clatsop Community Corrections supervises all Drug Court participants.