Like many other states, Utah has developed an extensive system of drug courts. Depending on factors like the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal record, defendants who have been convicted of non-violent felony drug offenses may qualify to participate in Utah’s drug court program. If a participant is able to successfully complete the program, their guilty plea will be withdrawn, and the charges against them will be dismissed. This allows defendants with drug-related offenses to simultaneously avoid jail time while receiving treatment for substance abuse and dependence.
This article will explain some key information about drug courts in Salt Lake County. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug offense in Salt Lake County, this information may be very important for you. An experienced Salt Lake City drug crime lawyer like Darwin Overson can evaluate your case and, where appropriate, fight for your inclusion in the program as an alternative to incarceration. To talk about your charges in a free and confidential legal consultation, call Overson Law at (801) 758-2287.
What Are the Different Types of Drug Courts in Utah?
Different types of drug courts serve different purposes and populations. There are three types of drug courts in Utah:
- Adult Drug Court – These programs are meant for adult defendants (age 18 or older) who have been convicted of non-violent drug felonies, such as:
- Producing, manufacturing, possessing, or distributing Schedule I drugs (such as heroin or LSD) or Schedule II drugs (such as Adderall, cocaine, fentanyl, methadone, methamphetamine, or OxyContin). (Utah Code § 58-37-8(b)(i))
- Producing, manufacturing, possessing, or distributing Schedule III drugs (such as ketamine or steroids) or Schedule IV drugs (such as Ambien, Valium, or Xanax). (Utah Code § 58-37-8(b)(ii))
- Dependency Drug Court – These programs are meant for parents who have been accused of drug-related neglect or abuse. Participants are strictly monitored toward the end goal of reuniting with their family members after successful completion of treatment.
- Juvenile Drug Court – These programs are meant for juvenile defendants (age 17 or younger) who have one prior offense, or who are being charged for the first time. All participants are required to:
- Complete 60 hours of community service.
- Submit to continuing court supervision.
- Write essays about the hazards and drawbacks of drug use.
Therefore, your age, the nature of your charges, and other factors will determine which type of drug court is appropriate for your case. Please note that defendants charged with alcohol- or marijuana-related crimes are automatically ineligible and cannot participate.
Where is the Salt Lake County Drug Court Program Located?
Utah is carved up into eight sections called “judicial districts.” A judicial district is the area over which certain courts have jurisdiction, or authority. Along with Summit County and Tooele County, Salt Lake County forms Utah’s Third Judicial District.
Salt Lake County drug court programs are based out of various criminal courts within Salt Lake County, such as the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City, which serves both as a juvenile court (for defendants under the age of 18) and as the Salt lake City District Court (for felony cases and Class A misdemeanor cases).
The following information, obtained through the Utah court directory, is current as of December 2016. Please keep in mind that directory information may be periodically added or updated. The listings below include information about the town or city where the program is located, the judge who presides over drug court proceedings, and the type of drug court as explained in the previous section.
- Salt Lake City
Type – Adult Drug Court
Judge – Judge Blanch
Location – Salt Lake City District Court
Matheson Courthouse
450 South State Street
P.O. Box 1860
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
- Salt Lake City
Type – Adult Drug Court
Judge – Judge Goodman
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Adult Drug Court
Judge – Judge Skanchy
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Dependency Drug Court
Judge – Judge Behrens
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Dependency Drug Court
Judge – Judge Decker
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Dependency Drug Court
Judge – Judge Hornak
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Dependency Drug Court
Judge – Judge Lund
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- Salt Lake City
Type – Juvenile Drug Court
Judge – Judge Hornak
Location – See address above (Matheson Courthouse)
- West Jordan
Type – Adult Drug Court
Judge – Judge Hogan
Location – West Jordan District Court
8080 South Redwood Road, Suite 1701
West Jordan, UT 84088
- West Jordan
Type – Juvenile Drug Court
Judge – Judge Knight
Location – See address above (West Jordan District Court)
Together, these drug court programs process qualifying defendants who were charged with controlled substance offenses throughout Salt Lake County, including Alta, Bluffdale, Cottonwood Heights, Herriman, Holladay, Midvale, Murray, Riverton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville, West Jordan, and West Valley City.
Were You Charged with a Felony Involving Controlled Substances or Prescription Drugs?
If you or a family member has been charged with felony drug possession, drug sales and distribution, drug manufacturing, or other offenses related to narcotics or prescription medications, representation by a skilled, compassionate, and aggressive Utah defense attorney is vital. For a free legal consultation, call Salt Lake County drug charges attorney Darwin Overson at (801) 758-2287. Darwin has over 16 years of experience handling thousands of criminal cases throughout Utah.
