Last Updated on March 20, 2024, 9:47 AM | Published: March 20, 2024
Oklahoma County Treatment Courts sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Oklahoma County Treatment Courts, consisting of Drug Court, DUI Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court, will recognize recent graduates during their first public ceremony of 2024. With friends and family in attendance, graduates will celebrate successfully completing their respective treatment court program and having their charges dismissed.
The Celebration of Graduates will take place on Tuesday, March 26 at 5:45 p.m. at Frontline Church located at 1104 N. Robinson in downtown Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma County Drug Court is a comprehensive program offering support, substance use disorder treatment, supervision, and accountability as an alternative to traditional sentencing. Nationally, drug courts are considered the single most successful criminal justice intervention for seriously addicted offenders. Individuals who qualify for the program in Oklahoma County average 7.6 arrests stemming from addiction and face felony charges which are dismissed upon completion.
Since 2016, a staggering 1,580 graduates have graduated from Oklahoma County Treatment Court programs, avoiding over 11,060 cumulative years in prison. This has saved the State of Oklahoma more than $194,340,000.
“Our Oklahoma County Treatment Courts continue to lead the way in modernizing our criminal justice system. It’s truly remarkable the transformation that occurs when people are given the right amount of treatment, support, and accountability. People can and do change.” said Judge Kenneth Stoner, the presiding judge over Drug and DUI Court in Oklahoma County.
This March’s celebration theme is Renewal — and will include heartfelt testimonials from several treatment court graduates, as well as remarks from Judge Kenneth Stoner and Judge Catherine M. Burton. The celebration will also honor the life of Robert Ravitz, Oklahoma County’s longtime chief public defender.
To help support the ongoing success of drug court in Oklahoma County, donations can be made to the Oklahoma County Drug Court Fiscal Sponsorship Fund held at the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. Donate at www.cfok.org.
About Oklahoma County Treatment Courts
Oklahoma County Treatment Courts are an innovative alternative to incarceration with emphasis on accountability, intensive monitoring and treatment for individuals charged with felony offenses and moderate to severe substance use disorders. Treatment Court removes defendants from the clogged courtrooms of the traditional criminal justice system, placing them in a new type of courtroom environment where they undergo treatment and counseling, make regular appearances before the judge, and are monitored closely for program compliance.
For more information about the Oklahoma County Drug Court, please visit www.okcountytc.org.
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