Programs

On-Site Drug Testing
   On-site drug testing was implemented as a means to identify drug abusing offenders. Most important, drug testing is used in the Probation Division as a vehicle for substance abuse treatment and offender rehabilitation. Early identification and intervention enhances the probation officers' ability to make appropriate treatment referrals and to effectively link the legal sanctions of the Court with therapeutic processes of community drug treatment programs.

Drug Treatment Court
   In October 1997, the 36th District Court established it's Drug Treatment Court pilot project. The primary goal of the Drug Treatment Court is to identify substance abusing offenders and to involve them in substance abuse treatment. The pilot project was a combined effort of the Court, the City of Detroit Health Department, The Detroit City Council, The Mayor's Office, Wayne County Sheriff Department, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency and the Detroit Police Department.
   In 1998, the Court was awarded grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Drug Court Programs Office, to implement a Drug Treatment Court. Offenders electing to participate in the program are given the opportunity to submit to substance abuse treatment and to comply with all other conditions imposed by the Judge and case managers. Participants are required to appear for all scheduled status hearings, submit to urinalysis, attend all treatment sessions and follow-up on all other referrals, such as job training, parenting classes, aids classes and educational programs.
   The Drug Treatment Court is designed to hold offenders accountable for their behavior while providing them with rehabilitative services necessary to maintain a law-abiding lifestyle.

Victims Impact Panel
   The Victims Impact Panel (VIP) was adopted by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1989. On April 28, 1990, the Court's Probation Division, along with the MADD Organization, implemented the 36th District Court Victims Impact Panel. The program commended April 28, 1990. The program is designed to enhance mandatory sentencing of probation, fines, costs or jail time.
   The VIP objective is to reduce the recidivism rate of the drunk driving offenders by explicitly exposing them to the consequences that may result from drinking and driving.
   The purpose of the VIP is to allow the offenders the opportunity to meet and listen to victims, or family members of a victim who was in an accident caused by a drunk driver. In some instances, however, the defendants are victims of their own drinking and driving. Previously, consideration of the victim was a key element that had been missing in dealing with these offenders.
   The program offers insight into the serious problems drinking and driving can cause, and the lasting effect it has on the lives of others. The atmosphere of each panel has evolved into a caring, emotional, and thought provoking session. Of the 944 offenders referred to VIP in 1997, 912 attended and completed.

Community Service
   The community service program is a program through which convicted offenders are placed in unpaid positions with nonprofit or tax supported agencies to serve a specified number of hours doing work or service within a given time frame as a sentencing option or condition of probation. The Community Service Specialist is responsible for placement, monitoring and notifying the Court of the offenders compliance. Community service may be used as alternative to a jail sentence or fines and costs.

Perceived Advantages
   There are many perceived advantages to community service.

- Value of probationer's service to the community agency
- Therapeutic effects on a probationer such as atonement for misdeed
- Exposure to the work environment Reduction in jail overcrowding
- Symbolic compensation to the community
- Reduction in probation supervision caseload

Driver Improvement School
   The Driver Improvement School is conducted to improve a driver's chances of avoiding traffic accidents by improving his/her driving ability, attitude, and judgment through education.

   The class is now offered on-line, 24 hours per day.  You may receive additional information about the class at www.Detroitdriver.com or by contacting 1.877.972.4665 (toll free).

   The cost of the class is $60.00 and a certificate will be forwarded to the judge of record upon completion.