In many cases, when people face drug charges, they risk having to spend time behind bars. They may also have to pay financial fines. The ramifications span a wide range, depending on the specifics of the charge. A simple possession charge will likely not lead to as serious of consequences as a charge for intent to distribute, for example.
But in Maryland, there is another option, which is the drug court program. Instead of going to jail, the person goes through a controlled and supervised treatment program. Upon completion, the charges are dropped so that they don’t have a permanent record.
Why are drug courts used?
The main reason why drug courts are used is that drug charges often stem from the fact that the person in question is dealing with an addiction. It’s not as if they have any desire to break the law. But the addiction means they’re going to keep doing it unless they get proper treatment—and incarceration and fines aren’t going to help.
It can also be helpful to keep people from having a permanent record, especially at a young age. As such, drug courts are typically used for nonviolent first-time offenders. Avoiding a permanent record means that they may see far fewer disruptions in their life, such as being expelled from school or losing their job. This can also reduce the rate at which people are arrested again in the future—something that incarceration doesn’t necessarily do.
If you are facing drug charges, it’s very important to understand all the options you have and the legal steps you can take at this time.