Tuesday, September 21, 2008
Some of the 49 people who faced Judge Jeffrey Merrill on Tuesday left the courtroom in dismay and handcuffs, while others were congratulated. Defendants high-fived upon entering the courtroom. Drug addicts received applause after being admitted to a rehabilitation program.
Welcome to the bizarre scene of the Onondaga County Drug Court.
Drug Court has existed since 1997, and aims to give drug addicts a second chance at getting out of trouble. In drug arrests where the defendants are clearly addicts, their cases are sent to Merrill. Addicts can choose between doing time in prison and participating in a program to gradually break theiraddiction. This involves mandatory employment, frequent checkup meetings, and random urine drug tests. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals says the program has a success rate of over 70 percent.
Merrill says a participant's success depends on character. He told one defendant that although he could punish him with electronic home confinement, he felt it would be too easy. "This is a character test," he said. "I want to see if you can make good decisions."
Merrill speaks to the defendants like an angry friend, throwing around slang and profanities. "He just went to prison for the same bulls**t you're pulling," Merrill told one defendant. He says his informal style speaks to the addicts more directly.
The New York criminal justice system gives court officials great powers, and Merrill says they should channel this towards helping people. "We'd be squandering our resources if we didn't get people to change their ways and improve their lives."
Some of the 49 people who faced Judge Jeffrey Merrill on Tuesday left the courtroom in dismay and handcuffs, while others were congratulated. Defendants high-fived upon entering the courtroom. Drug addicts received applause after being admitted to a rehabilitation program.
Welcome to the bizarre scene of the Onondaga County Drug Court.
Drug Court has existed since 1997, and aims to give drug addicts a second chance at getting out of trouble. In drug arrests where the defendants are clearly addicts, their cases are sent to Merrill. Addicts can choose between doing time in prison and participating in a program to gradually break theiraddiction. This involves mandatory employment, frequent checkup meetings, and random urine drug tests. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals says the program has a success rate of over 70 percent.
Merrill says a participant's success depends on character. He told one defendant that although he could punish him with electronic home confinement, he felt it would be too easy. "This is a character test," he said. "I want to see if you can make good decisions."
Merrill speaks to the defendants like an angry friend, throwing around slang and profanities. "He just went to prison for the same bulls**t you're pulling," Merrill told one defendant. He says his informal style speaks to the addicts more directly.
The New York criminal justice system gives court officials great powers, and Merrill says they should channel this towards helping people. "We'd be squandering our resources if we didn't get people to change their ways and improve their lives."
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