Expanding the Drug Courts of New Jersey: Feasible or Futile?

Abstract

Drug Court, a hybrid between a treatment center and a traditional courtroom, has been lauded as an alternative to the mass incarceration of millions of drug addicts. Yet despite documented evidence of the program’s success, only a small proportion of drug offenders are admitted into the Drug Court program. This case study of Bergen County, New Jersey questions whether the Drug Court program can be effectively expanded to include more participants by loosening the legal eligibility qualifications. This study ultimately concludes that the vast majority of suitable offenders are already entered into the Drug Court program and offers policy recommendations for further expansion.