MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A; Appropriations
By: Representative Barnett (92nd), Moore (100th), Hudson, Nettles, Guice, Warren
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR DRUG COURT TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICTS; TO SPECIFY THE PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THIS ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR DRUG DIVISION PROBATION PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUCH PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A DRUG DIVISION PROBATION PROGRAM MAY RESULT IN DISMISSAL OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN A PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-29-149 AND 41-29-150, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The Legislature of Mississippi recognizes the critical need for criminal justice system programs to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug use, alcohol and drug addiction, and crimes committed as a result of alcohol and drug use and alcohol and drug addiction. The Legislature also recognizes that the problem of alcohol and drug abuse among the citizens of Mississippi is excessive and needs to be addressed and corrected not only for the health and welfare of the citizens of this state, but also because alcohol and drug abuse or dependency has been identified as a contributing factor in the commission of many crimes. It is the intent of the Legislature by this act to create a program to facilitate the creation of alcohol and drug treatment divisions in the various district courts of this state.
SECTION 2. The goals of the alcohol and drug treatment divisions created under this act include the following:
(a) To reduce alcoholism and drug abuse and dependency among offenders.
(b) To reduce criminal recidivism.
(c) To reduce the alcohol- and drug-related workload of the courts.
(d) To increase the personal, familial and societal accountability of offenders.
(e) To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal justice personnel and community agencies.
(f) To reduce the overcrowding of prisons.
SECTION 3. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Alcohol and drug abuse program" means a program licensed by the State of Mississippi to provide education, prevention and treatment directed toward achieving the mental and physical restoration of alcohol and drug abuses or addicts.
(b) "Alcohol and drug abuser" means a person whose consumption of alcohol or other drugs, or any combination thereof, interferes with or adversely affects his ability to function socially or economically and endangers the health, safety and welfare of the abuser and others.
(c) "Alcohol- or drug-related offense" means an alcohol- or drug-related offense and also an offense in which alcohol or drug abuse or addiction is determined from the evidence to have been a factor in the commission of the offense.
(d) "Alcoholic or drug addict" means any person who habitually uses alcohol or other drugs to the extent that the person endangers the health, safety or welfare of that person or any other person or group of persons.
(e) "Conditions of probation" means the specification of formal terms and conditions which a defendant must fulfill in order to have the charges against that person dismissed.
(f) "Drug division" means the division or divisions of the court to which alcohol- or drug-related offenses are assigned or the employee of the court designated to administer the probation program.
(g) "Probation" means referral of a defendant who has entered a plea of guilty in a criminal case charging an alcohol or controlled dangerous substance related offense to a supervised probation program.
(h) "Probationer" means a person who has been accepted into a drug division probation program.
(i) "Treatment program" means any governmental agency or other entity which is licensed by the State of Mississippi to provide substance abuse or addiction treatment on a residential or outpatient basis.
SECTION 4. (1) Each circuit court district by rule may designate as a drug division one or more divisions to which alcohol- or drug-related offenses are assigned and may establish a probation program to be administered by the senior judge or judges thereof or by an employee designated by the court.
(2) Participation in probation programs shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) The district attorney may propose to the court that an individual defendant be screened for eligibility as a participant in the drug division probation program if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(i) The individual is charged with a violation of a statute of this state relating to the use and possession of any narcotic drugs, coca leaves, marijuana, stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogenic drugs, or where there is a significant relationship between the use of alcohol or drugs, or both, and the crime before the court.
(ii) The district attorney has reason to believe that the individual who is charged suffers from alcohol or drug addiction.
(iii) It is in the best interest of the community and in the interest of justice to provide the defendant with treatment as opposed to incarceration or other sanctions.
(b) Upon receipt of the proposal provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court shall advise the defendant that he or she may be eligible for enrollment in a court-authorized treatment program through the drug division probation program.
(c) In offering a defendant the opportunity to request treatment, the court shall advise the defendant of the following:
(i) If the defendant is accepted into the drug division probation program, then the defendant must waive the right to a trial. The defendant must enter a plea of guilty to the charge, with the stipulation that sentencing be deferred or that sentence be imposed, but suspended, and the defendant placed on supervised probation under the usual conditions of probation and under certain special conditions of probation related to the completion of such substance abuse treatment programs as are ordered by the court.
(ii) If the defendant requests to undergo treatment and is accepted, the defendant will be placed under the supervision of the drug division probation program for a period of not less than twelve (12) months.
(iii) During treatment the defendant may be confined in a treatment facility or, at the discretion of the court, the defendant may be released on a probationary basis for treatment or supervised aftercare in the community.
(iv) The court may impose any conditions reasonably related to the complete rehabilitation of the defendant.
(v) The defendant shall be required to participate in an alcohol and drug testing program at his own expense, unless the court determines that he is indigent.
(vi) If the defendant completes the drug division probation program, and successfully completes all other requirements of his court-ordered probation, the conviction may be set aside and the prosecution dismissed. If the defendant was sentenced at the time of the entry of the plea of guilty, the successful completion of the drug division probation program and the other requirements of probation will result in his discharge from supervision. If the defendant does not successfully complete the drug division probation program, the judge may revoke the probation and impose sentence, or the judge may revoke the probation and order the defendant to serve the sentence previously imposed and suspended, or the court may impose any sanction provided by law, and extend probation and order that the defendant continue treatment for an additional period, or both.
(d) The defendant has the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of a criminal prosecution and in any court hearing relating to the drug division probation program. The defendant shall be represented by counsel during the negotiations to determine eligibility to participate in the drug division probation program and shall be represented by counsel at the time of the execution of the probation agreement, and at any hearing to revoke the defendant's probation and discharge him from the program, unless the court finds and the record shows that the defendant has knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel.
(e) The defendant must agree to the drug division probation program. If the defendant elects to undergo treatment and participate in the drug division probation program, the court shall order an examination of the defendant by one (1) of the court's designated licensed treatment programs. Treatment programs shall possess sufficient experience in working with criminal justice clients with alcohol or drug addictions, or both, and shall be certified and approved by the State of Mississippi. The designated treatment program shall utilize standardized testing and evaluation procedures to determine whether or not the defendant is an appropriate candidate for a treatment program and shall report such findings to the court and the district attorney.
(f) The designated treatment program shall examine the defendant, using standardized testing and evaluation procedures, and shall report to the court and the district attorney the results of the examination and evaluation along with its recommendation as to whether or not the individual is a suitable candidate for the drug division probation program. Only those defendants who suffer from alcoholism or a drug addiction, or both, or who are in danger of becoming dependent on alcohol or drugs and who are likely to be rehabilitated through treatment shall be considered for treatment.
(g) The court shall inform the defendant that the treatment program examiner or district attorney may request that the defendant provide the following information to the court:
(i) Information regarding prior criminal charges.
(ii) Education, work experience and training.
(iii) Family history, including residence in the community.
(iv) Medical and mental history, including any psychiatric or psychological treatment or counseling.
(v) Any other information reasonably related to the success of the treatment program.
(h) The designated program shall recommend to the court a preliminary length of stay and level of care for the defendant.
(i) Besides the report submitted by the examiner, the judge and district attorney shall consider the following factors in determining whether drug court probation would be in the interests of justice and of benefit to the defendant and the community:
(i) The nature of the crime charged and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
(ii) Any special characteristics or circumstances of the defendant.
(iii) Whether the defendant is a first-time offender of an alcohol- or drug-related offense, and, if the defendant has previously participated in this or a similar program, the degree of success attained.
(iv) Whether there is a probability that the defendant will cooperate with and benefit from probation and treatment through the drug division probation program.
(v) Whether the available drug division probation program is appropriate to meet the needs of the defendant.
(vi) The impact of the defendant's probation and treatment upon the community.
(vii) Recommendations, if any, of the involved law enforcement agency.
(viii) Recommendations, if any, of the victim.
(ix) Provisions for and the likelihood of obtaining restitution from
the defendant over the course of his probation.
(x) Any mitigating circumstances.
(xi) Any other circumstances reasonably related to the individual defendant's case.
(j) In order to be eligible for the drug division probation program, the defendant must satisfy each of the following criteria:
(i) The defendant cannot have any prior felony convictions for any offenses which are crimes of violence.
(ii) The crime before the court cannot be a crime of violence, including domestic violence.
(iii) Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against the defendant.
(iv) The defendant cannot have been convicted of burglary of an inhabited dwelling if the defendant has a record of one or more prior felony convictions.
(v) The crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.
(vi) The crime charged cannot be one of multiple counts of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, production, manufacture or cultivation of controlled dangerous substances.
(k) (i) The judge shall make the final determination of eligibility. If, based on the examiner's report and the recommendations of the district attorney and the defense counsel, the judge determines that the defendant should be enrolled in the drug division probation program, the court shall accept the defendant's guilty plea and suspend or defer the imposition of sentence and place the defendant on probation under the terms and conditions of the drug division probation program. The court also may impose sentence and suspend the execution thereof, placing the defendant on probation under the terms and conditions of the drug division probation program.
(ii) If the judge determines that the defendant is not qualified for enrollment, the judge shall state for the record the reasons for that determination.
(iii) A treatment program may petition the court to reject a referral through the drug division probation program if the treatment program administrator deems the defendant to be inappropriate for admission to the treatment program. Additionally, a treatment program may petition the court for immediate discharge of any individual who fails to comply with treatment program rules and treatment expectations or who refuses to constructively engage in the treatment process.
(3) (a) The terms of each probation agreement shall be decided by the judge. The defendant must agree to enter the program and sign a probation agreement stating the terms and conditions of his program. The defendant must plead guilty to the charge in order to be eligible for the drug division probation program.
(b) Any probation agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall include the following:
(i) The terms of the agreement, which shall provide that if the defendant fulfills the obligations of the agreement, as determined by the court, then the criminal charges may be dismissed and the prosecution set aside, or, if the defendant has been sentenced following the plea of guilty, then the successful completion of the drug division probation program may result in the discharge of the defendant from continued supervision.
(ii) A waiver by the defendant of the right to trial by jury under the laws and Constitution of Mississippi and the United States.
(iii) The defendant's full name.
(iv) The defendant's full name at the time the complaint was filed, if different from the defendant's current name.
(v) The defendant's sex and date of birth.
(vi) The crime before the court.
(vii) The date the complaint was filed.
(viii) The court in which the agreement was filed.
(ix) A stipulation of the facts upon which the charge was based, as agreed to by the defendant and the district attorney.
(x) A provision that the defendant will be required to pay a probation supervision fee.
(xi) A provision in cases where applicable that the defendant will be required to pay restitution to the victim.
(xii) A provision that once the defendant is receiving treatment as an outpatient or living in a halfway house he will participate in appropriate job training or schooling or seek gainful employment.
(xiii) A copy of the plea agreement.
(c) A defendant who is placed under the supervision of the drug division probation program shall pay the cost of the treatment program to which he is assigned and the cost of any additional supervision that may be required, to the extent of his financial resources, as determined by the drug division.
(d) If the probationer does not have the financial resources to pay all the related costs of the probation program:
(i) The court, to the extent practicable, shall arrange for the probationer to be assigned to a treatment program funded by the state or federal government.
(ii) The court, with the recommendation of the treatment program, may order the probationer to perform supervised work for the benefit of the community in lieu of paying all or a part of the costs relating to his treatment and supervision. The work must be performed for and under the supervising authority of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi or a charitable organization that renders service to the community or its residents.
(4) (a) When appropriate, the imposition or execution of a sentence shall be postponed while the defendant is enrolled in the treatment program. As long as the probationer follows the conditions of his agreement, he or she shall remain on probation. At the conclusion of the period of probation, the district attorney, on advice of the person providing the probationer's treatment and the probation officer, may recommend that the drug division take one (1) of the following courses of action:
(i) That the probationer's probation be revoked and the probationer be sentenced because the probationer has not successfully completed the treatment and has violated one or more conditions of probation; or, if already sentenced, that the probation be revoked and the probationer be remanded to the appropriate custodian for service of that sentence.
(ii) That the period of probation be extended so that the probationer may continue the program.
(iii) That the probationer's conviction be set aside and the prosecution dismissed because the probationer has successfully completed all the conditions of his or her probation and treatment agreement.
(b) The district attorney shall make the final determination on whether to request revocation, extension or dismissal.
(c) (i) If an individual who has enrolled in a program violates any of the conditions of his probation or his treatment agreement or appears to be performing unsatisfactorily in the assigned program, or if it appears that the probationer is not benefiting from education, treatment or rehabilitation, the treatment supervisor, probation officer or the district attorney may move the court for a hearing to determine if the probationer should remain in the program or whether the probation should be revoked and the probationer removed from the program and sentenced or ordered to serve any sentence previously imposed. If at the hearing the moving party can show sufficient proof that the probationer has violated his probation or his treatment agreement and has not shown a willingness to submit to rehabilitation, the probationer may be removed from the program or his treatment agreement may be changed to meet the probationer's specific needs.
(ii) If the court finds that the probationer has violated a condition of his or her probation or a provision of his or her probation agreement and that the probationer should be removed from the probation program, then the court may revoke the probation and sentence the individual in accordance with his or her guilty plea or, if the individual has been sentenced and the sentence suspended, order the individual to begin serving the sentence.
(iii) If a defendant who has been admitted to the probation program fails to complete the program and is thereafter sentenced to jail time for the offense, he shall be entitled to credit for the time served in any correctional facility in connection with the charge before the court.
(iv) At any time and for any appropriate reason, the probationer, his probation officer, the district attorney or his treatment provider may petition the court to reconsider, suspend or modify its order for rehabilitation or treatment concerning that probationer.
(v) The burden of proof at all such hearings shall be the burden of proof required to revoke probation as provided by law.
(5) The appropriate alcohol and drug treatment program shall report the following changes or conditions to the district attorney at any periodic reporting period specified by the court:
(a) The probationer is changed from an inpatient to an outpatient.
(b) The probationer is transferred to another treatment center or program.
(c) The probationer fails to comply with program rules and treatment expectations.
(d) The probationer refuses to engage constructively in the treatment process.
(e) The probationer terminates his or her participation in the treatment program.
(f) The probationer is rehabilitated or obtains the maximum benefits of rehabilitation or treatment.
(6) Upon successful completion of the drug division probation program and its terms and conditions, the judge, after receiving the recommendation from the district attorney, may vacate the judgment of conviction and dismiss the criminal proceedings against the probationer or may discharge the defendant from probation.
(7) Discharge and dismissal under this act shall have the same effect as acquittal, except that the conviction may be considered in order to provide the basis for subsequent prosecution of the party as a multiple offender and shall be considered as an offense for the purposes of any other law or laws relating to cumulation of offenses. Dismissal under this act shall occur only once with respect to any person. Nothing herein shall be construed as a basis for the destruction of records of the arrest and prosecution of the person.
(8) Nothing contained in this act shall confer a right or an expectation of a right to treatment for a defendant or offender within the criminal justice system.
(9) Each defendant shall contribute to the cost of substance abuse treatment received in the drug treatment program based upon guidelines developed by the drug division.
(10) Each circuit court district that establishes a drug division shall adopt written policies and guidelines for the implementation of a probation program in accordance with this act. The policies and guidelines shall include provisions concerning the following:
(a) How to examine the defendant initially to determine if he or she is qualified for enrollment.
(b) How to advise the defendant of the program if the court has reason to believe the defendant may suffer from alcohol or drug addiction.
(c) What licensed treatment programs are certified by the court.
(11) Each drug division shall develop a method of evaluation so that its effectiveness can be measured. These evaluations shall be compiled annually and transmitted to the Administrative Office of Courts.
(12) (a) Except as otherwise provided for by law, the registration and other records of a treatment facility are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person not connected with the treatment facility or the drug division and district attorney without the consent of the patient.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not restrict the use of patients' records for the purpose of research into the cause and treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, provided that such information shall not be published in a way that discloses the patient's name and identifying information.
(13) No statement, or any information procured therefrom, with respect to the specific offenses with which the defendant is charged, which is made to any probation officer or alcohol and drug treatment worker subsequent to the granting of probation, shall be admissible in any civil or criminal action or proceeding, except a drug division probation revocation proceeding.
(14) A record of the fact that an individual has participated in a drug division probation program shall be sent to the Office of the Attorney General and shall be made available upon request to any district attorney for the purpose of determining if an individual has previously participated in a drug division probation program.
SECTION 5. Section 41-29-149, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-29-149. (a) Regardless of the penalties provided heretofore for the violation of any section or portion of this article, the judge of the court of jurisdiction of any defendant may, in his discretion, suspend such penalty, penalties, or portions thereof, or place such defendant in a program as provided in Sections 1 through 4 of House Bill No. ____, 2003 Regular Session, for any person charged with a first offense.
(b) A person convicted under this article or under any prior law superseded by this article for a violation of the law regarding controlled substances shall be eligible for parole just as in any other criminal conviction as provided by Section 47-7-3.
(c) Any person who was convicted and/or who is still serving a sentence in the Mississippi State Penitentiary for a first offense under any prior law superseded by this article may petition the court of original jurisdiction for resentencing under the provisions of this article.
(d) Any person previously indicted under a prior law for violation of any law regarding controlled substances but not yet sentenced shall be sentenced under the provisions of this article provided that the sentence imposed is not greater than that provided under said prior law.
(e) For the purposes of the sentencing provisions of this article, a first offense shall be deemed to be and include any offense, offenses, act or acts prohibited by said law, or any prior law superseded by said law, committed prior to a first indictment under said law or under prior law superseded by said law.
SECTION 6. Section 41-29-150, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-29-150. (a) Any person convicted under Section 41-29-139 may be required, in the discretion of the court, as a part of the sentence otherwise imposed, or in lieu of imprisonment in cases of probation or suspension of sentence, to attend a course of instruction conducted by the bureau, the State Board of Health, or any similar agency, on the effects, medically, psychologically and socially, of the misuse of controlled substances or successfully complete a treatment program as provided in Sections 1 through 4 of House Bill No. ____, 2003 Regular Session. Said course may be conducted at any correctional institution, detention center or hospital, or at any center or treatment facility established for the purpose of education and rehabilitation of those persons committed because of abuse of controlled substances.
(b) Any person convicted under Section 41-29-139 who is found to be dependent upon or addicted to any controlled substance shall be required, as a part of the sentence otherwise imposed, or in lieu of imprisonment in cases of parole, probation or suspension of sentence, to receive medical treatment for such dependency or addiction or successfully complete a treatment program as provided in Sections 1 through 4 of House Bill No. ____, 2003 Regular Session. The regimen of medical treatment may include confinement in a medical facility of any correctional institution, detention center or hospital, or at any center or facility established for treatment of those persons committed because of a dependence or addiction to controlled substances.
(c) Those persons previously convicted of a felony under Section 41-29-139 and who are now confined at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, or at the East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, Mississippi, for the term of their sentence shall remain under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and shall be required to abide by all reasonable rules and regulations promulgated by the director and staff of said institutions and of the Department of Corrections. Any persons so confined who shall refuse to abide by said rules or who attempt an escape or who shall escape shall be transferred to the State Penitentiary or to a county jail, where appropriate, to serve the remainder of the term of imprisonment; this provision shall not preclude prosecution and conviction for escape from said institutions.
(d) (1) If any person who has not previously been convicted of violating Section 41-29-139, or the laws of the United States or of another state relating to narcotic drugs, stimulant or depressant substances, other controlled substances or marihuana is found to be guilty of a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of Section 41-29-139, after trial or upon a plea of guilty, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilty and with the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place him on probation upon such reasonable conditions as it may require and for such period, not to exceed three (3) years, as the court may prescribe. Upon violation of a condition of the probation, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. The court may, in its discretion, dismiss the proceedings against such person and discharge him from probation before the expiration of the maximum period prescribed for such person's probation. If during the period of his probation such person does not violate any of the conditions of the probation, then upon expiration of such period the court shall discharge such person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection shall be without court adjudication of guilt, but a nonpublic record thereof shall be retained by the bureau solely for the purpose of use by the courts in determining whether or not, in subsequent proceedings, such person qualifies under this subsection. Such discharge or dismissal shall not be deemed a conviction for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including the penalties prescribed under this article for second or subsequent conviction, or for any other purpose. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person; and
(2) Upon the dismissal of such person and discharge of proceedings against him under paragraph (1) of this subsection, or with respect to a person who has been convicted and adjudged guilty of an offense under subsection (c) or (d) of Section 41-29-139, or for possession of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, marihuana, other controlled substances or paraphernalia under prior laws of this state, such person, if he had not reached his twenty-sixth birthday at the time of the offense, may apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records, other than the nonpublic records to be retained by the bureau under paragraph (1) of this subsection, all recordation relating to his arrest, indictment, trial, finding of guilty, and dismissal and discharge pursuant to this section. If the court determines, after hearing, that such person was dismissed and the proceedings against him discharged and that he had not reached his twenty-sixth birthday at the time of the offense, or that such person had satisfactorily served his sentence or period of probation and parole, and that he had not reached his twenty-sixth birthday at the time of the offense, it shall enter such order. The effect of such order shall be to restore such person, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment. No person as to whom such order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or trial in response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.
(e) Every person who has been or may hereafter be convicted of a felony offense under Section 41-29-139 and sentenced under Section 41-29-150(c) shall be under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
(f) It shall be unlawful for any person confined under the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section to escape or attempt to escape from said institution, and upon conviction said person shall be guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed two (2) years.
(g) It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to promote the rehabilitation of persons convicted of offenses under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.
SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.