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Sunday, August 26, 2007
Ind. Courts - Vanderburgh County diversion program to expand
Kate Braser of the Evansville Courier & Press writes:
A program that for four years has provided a sentencing alternative for convicted drug addicts in Vanderburgh County will expand soon to accept impaired drivers.Vanderburgh Superior Court Judge Wayne Trockman and Forensic Diversion Program and Drug Court Director Debbie Mowbray said the county's forensic diversion team has planned for years also to address impaired driving. * * *
The Forensic Diversion Program was launched in 2003 with the goal of helping — rather than just punishing — nonviolent criminals.
The three-year program is aimed at offenders with addictive disorders or mental illness and offers treatment instead of simple lockup.
"We had asked Stan Levco from the get-go if we could have drunk drivers, because a drug is a drug is a drug," Mowbray said. "He was adamant about not having drunken driving in our program."
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco said he's been asked a few times a year to expand the program to impaired drivers.
"All these years, they've asked me a few times, and I've said no," he said. "Ultimately, I determined the Forensic Diversion Program is being run exceptionally well."
Levco said the program will be limited to "people who have a chance at success."
"I think they monitor them very well," he said. "I am not expecting hordes of drunk drivers will get into this. It will be a very limited number every year."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 26, 2007 01:08 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts