Arkansas Juvenile Drug Courts

AO/DaySpring is the substance abuse treatment provider in the Arkansas Juvenile Drug Courts in District 18, Garland County (Hot Springs) and District 10, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha and Drew Counties (Monticello). We coordinate our treatment responses with the other team members, community organizations, and formal and informal supports integral to the offender’s success and community safety.

Juvenile Drug Court

A juvenile drug court is a docket within a juvenile court to which selected delinquency cases, and in some instances, status offenders are referred for handling by a designated judge. The youth referred to this docket are identified as having problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. The juvenile drug court judge maintains close oversight of each case through frequent (often weekly) status hearings with the parties involved. The judge both leads and works as a member of a team that comprises representatives from treatment, juvenile justice, social services, school and vocational training programs, law enforcement, probation, the prosecution, and the defense. Together, the team determines how best to address the substance abuse and related problems of the youth and his or her family that have brought the youth into contact with the justice system.