Mission

The mission of the Pointe Coupee Parish Drug Court Program is to promote the overall health, welfare and safety of the citizens of this area by rehabilitating adult felony criminal offenders suffering from substance abuse and addiction.

Goals

The overall goal of the Pointe Coupee Parish Drug Court Program is to minimize the likelihood of re-arrest and conviction for non-violent offenders through judicial supervision and participation in an intensive outpatient treatment program, and to free prison beds to house the more violent criminal and drug traffickers.  We anticipate graduating 10 participants annually.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, the offender must meet specific criteria, to include but not limited to, must be 17 years of age, charged with a felony offense that is not defined as a crime of violence pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 890.3, no pending crime(s) of violence, and cannot be on parole for a prior conviction.  The Office of the District Attorney must approve the offender’s participation. 

Local offenders will be reviewed at the time of arrest; recommendations from outlying areas, including transfers from other drug courts, will also be taken into consideration. The offender must have reliable transportation.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is responsible for establishing goals for the program, assisting in the development of the program manual, and continuously reviewing and revising program procedures as required. 

Drug Court Team/Steering Committee

Honorable Judge J. Kevin Kimball
Paula Kleinpeter, Coordinator

Donna Hammond, Director
Pointe Coupee Human Services 

Antonio M. “Tony” Clayton, District Attorney
Chad Aguillard, Assistant District Attorney

C. Jerome D’Aquila, Chief Public Defender
Thomas A. Nelson, Public Defender

Sheriff Beauregard “Bud” Torres
Captain Richard Torres
Lieutenant Craig Dabadie

About the Program

The program is a minimum of eighteen (18) months in duration and is structured into four phases.  Participants must attend outpatient group sessions, as well as Community Support Group meetings weekly.  Progression into each phase depends on the individual(s) compliance and accomplishment of treatment goals.   Additional services are available for offenders in greater need, to include 28 day inpatient or long term residential programs.

Random drug screens are conducted a minimum of twice weekly, although the Court and/or treatment staff may increase the frequency at any time based on individual need.

Participants are required to attend bi-weekly status hearings with the Judge where progress reports are presented and the individual is either praised for doing well, or sanctioned for infractions.  There is an array of progressive sanctions based on the infraction, which include, but are not limited to, community service work and jail time.

The Court encourages those without a high school education to enroll in a GED program.  All clients must be gainfully employed or attending school full time before being allowed to graduate.

Graduation/Recidivism Rates

Our first graduation was held in 2008; through 2017, 70 participants successfully completed this program.  Our recidivism (new conviction) rate is  8%, while the state level is  11.4%.

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COURT, VARIOUS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THE OFFICES OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND STATE PROBATION, THE POINTE COUPEE PARISH ADULT DRUG COURT PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN AUGUST 2006.

DRUG COURT TREATMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY POINTE COUPEE HUMAN SERVICES CENTER, 282-A HOSPITAL ROAD, NEW ROADS, LA  70760  (225) 638-7663.

 THE PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY THE STATE FOR 24 PARTICIPANTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME DURING THE YEAR.  THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT DRUG COURT OFFICE MONITORS ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM FOR COMPLIANCE VIA MONTHLY REPORTS.