These courts began on a test basis in Auckland and Waitakere and have now been made permanent. In December 2019 the government announced that another court would be set up in Hamilton. There is also a Therapeutic Court operating in Wellington.
The Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Courts are designed for defendants whose offending is caused by high needs issues like addiction or dependency and who would otherwise be sent to jail. The aim is to reduce reoffending by treating the causes of offending – alcohol and drug use or addiction – and so reduce the use of jail sentences.
This court is for less serious offending (and not for sexual offences) where you have pleaded guilty. It is up to the judge to decide whether you can go through this court. Sentencing is put off while you go through a programme of case management, treatment, drug testing, monitoring and mentoring. You must comply with bail conditions and might have to wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet.
Police, lawyers and case managers will work as a team to help the judge make decisions. The police role is mainly focussed on community safety. These courts include the role of Pou Oranga – peer support workers with lived experience of recovery, treatment and knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. The victim may be involved with a Restorative Justice process.
The whole programme may take 1-2 years to complete. Once you’ve been through treatment you will be sentenced. If you have successfully completed the programme you will usually be sentenced to 12-15 months intensive supervision.