Understanding Honored: Court Dispositions of Early, Drug Free Discharges from California Civil Addict Program

Abstract

Compulsory civil commitment programs typically provide narcotic addicts the understanding that they will be given an early discharge and have their criminal charges dismissed as rewards for successful program participation. These understandings can be viable incentives for the addicts to cooperate in their own rehabilitation only if they are honored. California's Civil Addict Program had returned 2,647 cases to court for such a discharge, but the courts' response had not been determined. This study found that California's courts seem to be honoring the understanding. Of the persons returned to court during one three-month period, criminal charges were dismissed for 93%, who would therefore suffer no loss of civil rights. Decisions seemed to be made on factors directly related to narcotics addiction rather than on prior criminal history.