Our Mission
Working together to save lives and reunify families, Forsyth County Accountability Courts provide judicially supervised treatment and innovative case management to individuals with substance use disorder and/or mental illness.
Program
The state certified Forsyth County DUI Court was organized in February 2006 under the direction of Chief State Court Judge T. Russell McClelland. The DUI Court Team is a partnership among the Judge, the Solicitors Office, Probation, Law Enforcement, the DUI Court Office, the Treatment Provider Representatives, and the Defense Bar.
This treatment program provides intervention and serves as a meaningful alternative to jail for the participant who can function in the community with support. It is our goal to improve the quality of life and reduce recidivism for participants. Those who graduate will have a solid foundation to build upon in order to become even more productive members of our community and lead a lifetime of sobriety.
The Forsyth County DUI Court is a minimum of 18 months in duration and consists of five phases. Phase 1 is the Anchor Phase, Phase 2 is the Charting Your Course Phase, Phase 3 is the Holding Steady Phase, Phase 4 is the Setting Sail Phase, and Phase 5 is the Open Seas Phase.
People who want to be considered for the DUI Court Program are required to have, but not limited to, multiple DUI charges, a high blood alcohol content at time of arrest, must not be taking any addictive or mood altering medications, and must not be involved in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs. The DUI Court will also consider those defendants who have tested positive for alcohol while on probation as a part of a Revocation order. There are other factors taken into consideration when someone is being considered for the DUI Court program.
Among other requirements, DUI Court participants are required to attend weekly group counseling sessions and weekly recovery meetings, be subject to random alcohol and drug testing, be subject to home searches, and attend monthly Status Review Hearings with the DUI Court Judge.
People who wish to participate in a DUI Court Program, but do not live in Forsyth County, may be considered for a case transfer to the county in which he or she lives.
For questions about DUI Court, please contact the DUI Court Office.
Eligibility Criteria
- Current 2nd in 10 years or 3rd or more in life DUI/BUI charge
- Must have no prior violent convictions (only includes felony convictions)
- At least 17 years old
- No more than 2 felony arrests within the last 10 years
- Presence in United States is legally documented
- Must not be taking any Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines, Sedatives, or any other addictive medications
Probation Eligibility Criteria
- Must test positive for alcohol or drugs or receive a new charge involving alcohol or drugs while on probation
- Must have at least 18 months left on probation sentence
- Must have no prior violent convictions (only includes felony convictions)
- Must be at least 17 years old
- No more than 2 felony arrests within the last 10 years
- Must not be taking any Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines, Sedatives, or any other addictive medications
Disqualification Criteria
- Violent felony convictions or history (Nolle Prosequi and First Offender Status will be considered on a case by case basis)
- Involvement in sale or distribution of illegal drugs
- Severe and/or untreated mental/physical health problem which would impede their ability to actively participate in and complete the intensive program
- Presence in the United States is not legally documented
- Have more than 2 felony arrests within the last 10 years
- Taking any Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines, Sedatives, or any other addictive medications