478.001. Drug courts, establishment, purpose--referrals to certified treatment programs required, exceptions--completion of treatment program, effect.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

478.001. Drug courts, establishment, purpose--referrals to certified treatment programs required, exceptions--completion of treatment program, effect.

Drug courts, establishment, purpose--referrals to certified treatmentprograms required, exceptions--completion of treatment program,effect.

478.001. Drug courts may be established by any circuit court pursuantto sections 478.001 to 478.006 to provide an alternative for the judicialsystem to dispose of cases which stem from drug use. A drug court shallcombine judicial supervision, drug testing and treatment of drug courtparticipants. Except for good cause found by the court, a drug courtmaking a referral for substance abuse treatment, when such program willreceive state or federal funds in connection with such referral, shallrefer the person only to a program which is certified by the department ofmental health, unless no appropriate certified treatment program is locatedwithin the same county as the drug court. Upon successful completion ofthe treatment program, the charges, petition or penalty against a drugcourt participant may be dismissed, reduced or modified. Any fees receivedby a court from a defendant as payment for substance treatment programsshall not be considered court costs, charges or fines.