How Does the Connecticut Specialty Court Work?

Connecticut Specialty Courts are also known as drug courts that operate in the state. There are two Specialty Courts in Connecticut with one in Danielson and another in New Haven. These courts are not separate courts and do not have separate facilities and staff. The Specialty Courts resolve cases separately from other pending cases. Also, these courts have special arrangements or contracts with drug treatment service providers.

The Judicial Branch of Connecticut refers to the court as a Drug Intervention Program. The branch specifies that these programs attempt to reduce criminal behavior and substance abuse through residential and day treatment, court monitoring, supervision, and other strategies.

In accordance with the Judicial Branch, on November 9, 2015, the Danielson program had seven active participants and 33 active participants in the New Haven program. As of November 17, 2015, 12 additional candidates were being evaluated for acceptance into the program. The Judicial Branch formerly operated a Drug Intervention Program in Bridgeport.

The state of Connecticut authorizes drug courts and drug dockets but does not differentiate between the two. The law permits the chief court administrator to set up at least one drug court in any courthouse, with a separate docket for hearing criminal cases or juvenile cases where substance or drug abuse is elemental to the defendant’s criminal behavior. In accordance with CGS § 51–181b(a), the docket must be available to offenders who can benefit from participation in a substance abuse treatment program.

According to the Judicial Branch, the Drug Intervention Program is responsible for handling several cases with substance or drug abuse as a primary issue. However, the Judicial Branch limits this program to only non-violent drug-dependent defendants. The judge, the state’s attorney, defense counsel, a supervision officer, an intake assessment coordinator, or a referral specialist (a Judicial Branch employee) can refer a defendant to the program at any time in the course of the court’s proceedings on a case.

While participating in the Drug Intervention Program, a defendant:

• Must agree to drug testing;
• Must regularly appear in court so the court can monitor the defendant’s behabvior. This is usually scheduled at intervals spread across 12 and 15 months.;
• May be required by the court to go through substance abuse treatment, including in-patient treatment, detoxification, and intensive outpatient treatment;
• May be required by the court to take educational and vocational training;

The judge, courthouse staff, as well as treatment and social service staff work hand in hand to monitor a defendant’s progress. Defendants may also be supervised daily through alternative incarceration centers. Upon successfully completing the Drug Intervention Program, defendants may have their cases resolved more favorably. For instance, the court may give the defendant a suspended sentence instead of a prison term.

The Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services provides Jail Diversion and Court Liaison programs in Connecticut. These programs are court-based services for persons with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders who are arrested on minor offenses. Other programs and services provided by the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services in Connecticut include:

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
• Access Line and Transportation
• Advocacy & Support
• Behavioral Health Recovery Program (BHRP)
• Behavioral Health Homes
• Certified Sober Living Homes
• CT Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (CT SBIRT) Program
• CT Behavioral Health Partnership (CT BHP)
• Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing
• Dental Clinics in the Community
• Dental Services - Finding Help for Title IXX, Medicaid, HUSKY clients
• Forensic Services
• Family Involvement
• Gambling - Problem Gambling Services
• Housing and Homeless Services
• Infectious Disease Services  
• Integrative Medicine
• Jail Diversion Program
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Services
• Military Support Program
• Mental Health Waiver
• Nursing Home Diversion and Transition Program
• Opioid Overdose Prevention (Naloxone/Narcan)
• Opiate/Medication Assisted Treatment
• Prevention and Health Promotion 
• Prescription Drugs and Heroin Prevention Treatment and Resources
• Promoting Integrated Care in Connecticut (PIC CT)
• Senior Outreach and Engagement
• Shelter Plus Care
• Social Clubs or Psychosocial Rehab
• Special Education
• Statewide Services Division
• Suicide Prevention Resources
• Supported Employment Services 
• Supported Education Services
• Trauma-Related Services
• Targeted Case Management (TCM)
• Veterans Services
• Women & Children’s Services
• Young Adult Services

Interested persons may search for services within close proximity, using the Finding Services in your Town/City search portal provided on the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services website.