Federal Government Makes Rockland County Drug Treatment Court More Accessible

Drug treatment court is a positive option for many defendants. It is a well-known fact that many incarcerated criminals face addiction issues. In fact, many of these individuals are behind bars specifically because of their addictions. Some committed crimes to fuel their substance abuse, while others were arrested for possession. The authorities recognize that treating these individuals for their mental health issues makes more sense than enforcing draconian penalties. However, many people struggled to access drug treatment court in Rockland County over the past few years. The federal government has stepped in to address this issue – but what does this mean for someone facing drug charges in New York?

Rockland County Drug Treatment Court Ends “Discriminatory Practices” 

In June of 2024, AOL reported that the federal government had intervened in Rockland County’s drug treatment court. Specifically, they forced the treatment program to end what the feds called “discriminatory practices.” They highlighted issues that seemed to exclude certain defendants – especially those who do not speak English. With these new changes, the drug treatment court should be more accessible to a wider range of defendants who genuinely need help with substance abuse problems.

So what exactly did the drug treatment court do wrong? In 2023, the federal government reportedly received a complaint that the court was not providing translation and interpretation services for those who had a limited understanding of English. This obviously drew the attention of the feds, because they completely took control of the court in March of 2024.

The new reforms will ensure taxpayer-funded translators to help those who do not understand English – including new arrivals to the county. Some of these translators will be proficient in languages like Spanish, Creole, and Yiddish. The individual who filed the complaint that sparked this entire situation was Latino. He was apparently arrested after driving while intoxicated.

Various parties, including US Attorney Damian Williams, are hailing this development as a civil rights victory. Williams stated:

“Members of the community should not be denied meaningful access to court proceedings and programs offering alternatives to traditional sentencing because of their limited English proficiency.” 

How Can I Get Access to Drug Treatment Court in Rockland County? 

Thanks to these new developments, it is now easier than ever to take advantage of drug treatment court in Rockland County. However, it is important to note that acceptance is not automatic. You may want to work with an experienced defense attorney to gain access to drug treatment court in New York.

Find an Experienced Drug Defense Lawyer in Rockland County 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced criminal defense lawyer, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants struggling with substance abuse issues. Drug treatment court may be a positive choice for many defendants, and we can help you explore this option further. However, there are many other potential defense strategies that could be even more effective. Book a consultation today to discuss these options in more detail.

Sources: 

aol.com/feds-force-rockland-drug-treatment-165045702.html

yahoo.com/news/suffern-resident-barred-drug-court-100529375.html