Are you eligible for drug court in Lancaster County?

A Pennsylvania drug charge has the potential to lead to serious penalties including steep fines, substance abuse education requirements and time spent behind bars, among others. However, in some cases, you may be able to avoid spending time behind bars – and give yourself a shot at overcoming your substance dependency – by gaining entry into drug court.

According to the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, the county’s Adult Drug Court program has two tracks. The first is a predisposition track, and the second, a post-sentence/probation violation track.

Drug court tracks and objectives

The predisposition track may give you a chance to have your charge reduced or dismissed if you complete it successfully. The post-sentence/probation violation track may help you avoid any remaining probation or supervision, but it does not lead to the expungement of your record.

Drug court eligibility requirements

You may undergo screening for drug court in Lancaster County if you have undergone detainment at the county prison, are on pre-trial or probation supervision or are awaiting a preliminary hearing for an eligible offense. You must meet additional eligibility requirements, too.

You must be at least 18 and a resident of Lancaster County. Your offense has to be a substance-related and nonviolent one. You also have to agree to take part in drug court and abide by all program terms.

If you are able to gain entry into Lancaster County’s Adult Drug Court, know that you must remain in the program for at least one year. You then have to take part in aftercare, with the duration of your aftercare commitment depending on the severity of the offense.