September 30, 2022- The Macon County Hybrid Court celebrated eight participants who graduated from the program.
The program is designed to assist nonviolent offenders with substance use disorders, and help them avoid incarceration and legal fees, thus getting their lives back on track.
Participants work with a team consisting of a judge, assistant state’s attorney, assistant public defender, defense attorney, law enforcement, treatment providers from heath centers, probation officers, and specialty court administrators.
Participants are given a treatment plan, and are expected to follow terms and conditions of the program.
Upon successful completion, “the court may dismiss the original charges against the participant or successfully terminate the participant’s sentence or otherwise discharge him or her from any further proceedings against him or her in the original prosecution.”
At the graduation, former participants spoke on the importance of the program, their success since completing the program, and how the program allows participants to become productive members of society.
“You guys have been cleared for takeoff,” a former participant said. “Longitude, check. Latitude, check. Destination-You are a productive member of society.”
The graduation concluded with each participant receiving their certification, having their charges dismissed, and then speaking if they chose to do so.
Close to 200 participants have successfully completed the program thus far, and those participants have a lower recidivism rate than those who have been incarcerated.
