We look forward to other stories of sobriety and self-sufficiency from the drug treatment court. In 1997, Memphis ranked first among all major American cities in its burglary rate. The high rate of burglaries in our community is, without a doubt, largely due to drug addicts seeking to support their habits. Presided over by Judge Tim Dwyer, Shelby County s part-time Drug Court is designed to effectively treat repeat offenders with drug and alcohol problems. The Drug Court represents a collaborative effort between prosecutors, judges, and mental health treatment providers to lower crime and treat substance abuse effectively.
Participants receive a lower sentence for volunteering for the drug court.
Sanctions in the form of incarceration and inpatient hospitalization provide necessary penalties for non-compliant individuals. Since its inception in 1997, qualification for the drug court has been expanded to include second time DUI offenders and felony drug offenders. This expansion is an attempt to more effectively target individuals in need of substance abuse treatment. With every successful graduate of the program, Shelby County alleviates repeated, costly court appearances by these persons while at the same time assisting in developing more productive individuals. Go back to the District Attorney's Home Page.