Welcome to the Adult Drug Court of the Third Judicial District Court, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mission Statement as of June 2003: We create a safe and drug-free community through individual supervision, direction, and treatment.
What is a Drug Court
Drug Courts are the most effective justice intervention for treating drug-addicted people. Drug Courts reduce drug use, reduce crime, save money, restore lives, and Drug Courts save children and reunite families. Drug Court is often referred to as a “problem solving court.” It is an intensive, court-based treatment program, which seeks to reduce recidivism, restore individuals to living healthy, sober lives, and positively impact families and society as a whole, while remaining a cost-effective alternative to incarceration. Eligible drug-addicted persons may be sent to Drug Court in lieu of traditional justice system case processing. Drug Courts keep individuals in treatment long enough for it to work, normally not less than a year, while supervising them closely.
Our History
The Adult Drug Court Program has been in operation since 1998, when it received its first federal enhancement grant. In 2000, the program received its second federal enhancement grant for operations, which was extended through February 2003. Our program has since been institutionalized within the Third Judicial District Court. Since inception, the program has had over 435 graduates.
Type of Cases Referred
- Deferred Prosecution (pre-adjudication)
- Post-Adjudication
- Probation Violation
- Dual Probation/Parole Cases
Program Components
Screening and assessment services; individual, group, family and couples counseling; Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT); frequent and random drug and alcohol testing, frequent and random home visits, psychological evaluations if necessary; referrals to in-patient treatment programs as may be appropriate; 12 step programming and/or SMART Recovery programming; relapse group sessions; gender specific treatment groups; anger management, life skills, case management, and an aftercare component.
Goals
- The Program will strive to reduce recidivism.
- The Program will represent itself as a viable alternative sentencing option for the Court.
- The Program will offer comprehensive treatment to participants.
- The Program will encourage on-going drug court team development.
Treatment Provider
As of November, 2021, the contracted treatment provider for the Adult Drug Court is Peak Behavioral Health Services. The Peak is located at 390 Calle De Alegra, Ste.D, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Mr. Gustavo Garay-Vidal is the current PHP/IOP Las Cruces Director.
Team Members
There are two District Judges assigned to the Adult Drug Court Program. The team consists of the Judges, Program Staff from the Court, and representatives from the following offices: Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s office, the Adult Probation-Parole Office of the New Mexico Corrections Department, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Dona Ana County Detention Center, DWI Compliance Monitoring Program, contracted Defense Attorney and the contracted treatment provider.
Community Linkages
The Adult Drug Court Program has developed linkages within the community that are beneficial for both the participants and the various community agencies.
In 2007 the Adult Drug Court Program began its Community Pride community service component. Community Pride offers participants opportunities to perform community service during the week as well as on the weekend. Our program’s Community Pride participants have performed community service through the Codes Department of the City of Las Cruces, playgrounds of the Las Cruces Public Schools, and the City Parks Department. The Court Surveillance Officers manage the Community Pride community service component. For information about our Community Pride component, call 575-528-8395.
Judges
The Honorable Judge Manuel I. Arrieta
The Honorable Judge Casey B. Fitch
Contact Information
Programs Manager
Carmen Florez Lucero
Phone: 575-528-8392
Address
201 W. Picacho
Las Cruces, NM 88005
Phone: 575-528-8395
Links
State Website: Problem Solving Courts