The Circuit Court for Harford County has initiated its first adult drug treatment court, seeking qualified participants to join the program. Judge Kevin J. Mahoney, who led the launch, will preside over the docket.
“A significant majority of the crimes we see inside the courtroom are fueled by addiction,” Judge Mahoney noted. “Due to limited resources in the community, we saw a direct need for this in Harford County.”
The program will meet twice monthly to review new applicants and existing participants while providing status reviews of cases. Various organizations and agencies will collaborate, including the Harford County Office of State’s Attorney, Public Defender’s Office, local health departments, law enforcement, and parole and probation teams.
Eligibility criteria for defendants include being first-time offenders or repeat offenders or those who have violated probation in an existing case. They must reside in Harford County, not be charged with violent crimes or have pending charges elsewhere, and be clinically qualified by a health professional.
“This is designed and intended to assist those defendants with serious drug problems,” stated Judge Mahoney. “Our goal is to build a network and provide resources to help get people back on their feet. It’s another tool in the toolbox.”
Referrals can come from law enforcement agencies, state attorney's offices, detention centers, lawyers, and other judges.
“There is a huge push for drug courts not only in the state of Maryland but also across the entire country,” commented Gray Barton, Director of Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Problem-Solving Courts. “We have the ability to build this new drug court from the ground up and help those who need it most.”
With May being National Drug Court Month as recognized by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, this addition brings Maryland's total number of drug courts to 34.
For further details, contact Tara Lathrop at [email protected] or 410-638-3333.