FAQ's

 

Take a moment and answer these 26 question to find out whether or not you understand your treatment obligations. Then compare your answers to the correct answers at the end. If you don't understand a question or need more information, contact a case manager.

 

1. I am here at Drug Court because:

A) My attorney said I had to.
B) I have no choice.
C) I chose to be here. I chose to sign the contract with Drug Court. I chose to take the plea and most importantly I made the choice to better my life and stay out of jail.
D) Not sure.

2. Before I chose to sign the Drug Court contract, I was given the choice of joining Drug Court (taking the treatment offer) or the choice of having my case go through the regular court process:

A) True.
B) False.

3. If I do not complete the Drug Court mandate I will have to:

A) Do nothing, I don’t care.
B) Face the reality of having to do my jail alternative that was stated to me when I took the plea in court.

4. All participants who begin Drug Court with outpatient treatment must attend:

A) At the intensive level, which is 5x week but school/work and other personal matters must work around my outpatient treatment schedule. B) Only 1-2 days a week, that’s what the Judge and attorney told me.
C) Whatever I decide. I chose to be here, so I can choose the amount of days.
D) Intensive outpatient treatment, which is 5x a week, but I have a job so I can just attend 2-3 days a week.

5. Every time I report to court I must always:

A) Report directly to my Case Manager, speak with him/her and provide a toxicology test.
B) Just go to the court room.
C) Just sign in and leave.
D) Not sure.

6. If I violate any of the Drug Court rules, the Judge CANNOT impose a sanction or punishment:

A) True.
B) False.

7. Some of the Judge’s sanctions and/or punishments can include: a public reprimand, a jury box sanction, order more case management/court appearances, remand (incarcerate) me or even impose my jail alternative:

A) True.
B) False.

8. If I am a felony participant in Drug Court this means that:

A) I am court mandated for a minimum of 1 year.
B) I am court mandated for a minimum of 8 months.
C) I am court mandated for a minimum of 6-8 months.
D) Not sure.

9. If I am a misdemeanor participant in Drug Court this means that:

A) I am court mandated for a minimum of 1 year.
B) I am court mandated for a minimum of 8 months.
C) I am court mandated for a minimum of 6-8 months.
D) Not sure.

10. Felony participants in Drug Court must complete how many Drug Court phases?

A) 1 phase.
B) 2-3 phase.
C) 3 phases.
D) Not sure.

11. How long are the Felony Drug Court phases?

A) Each phase is at least 4 months long.
B) The first phase is at least 4 months long and the next two phases are at least 2 months long.
C) Each phase is just 1 month long.
D) Not sure.

12. Misdemeanor participants in Drug Court must complete how many phases?

A) 1 phase.
B) 2-3 phases.
C) 3 phases.
D) Not sure.

13. How long are the Misdemeanor Drug Court phases?

A) Each phase is at least 4 months long.
B) First phase is at least 4 months and the next two phases are at least 2 months longer.
C) Each phase is just 1 month long.
D) Not sure.

14. My court mandate time can be extended if I am noncompliant.

A) True.
B) False.

15. What can a participant do to ensure that they complete each phase in the minimum amount of time?

A) Just show up. The Drug Court phases are only based on the length of time I am here and not on my participation and drug use. As long as I am here for 4 months, I will automatically move to phase II.
B) That is up to me. Each time that I use drugs or the Judge sanctions me for negative behavior, I will have to begin my current phase all over again, causing me to remain in the program longer.
C) Not sure.

16. While in Drug Court is it ok for me to use prescription drugs such as Tylenol 3 and Vicodin?

A) Yes, as long as I have a doctor’s prescription I can use any prescription drug I want.
B) No, these drugs are narcotics and are highly addictive. I will be sanctioned anytime I use them. I should always check with my case manager first before using any prescription drugs.

17. Can I use alcohol while in Drug Court?

A) Yes I can, alcohol is not a drug and it’s no big deal.
B) No I can’t, alcohol is just as dangerous as any other illicit substance and I will be sanctioned anytime I use alcohol. I cannot use alcohol while under the Court mandate.

18. No alcohol, no big deal. I can still drink alcohol and just say I took cough medicine before the alcohol test.

A) True.
B) False.

19. I can test positive for cocaine from certain medications right?

A) Yes. I have to be careful regarding what medication I take.
B) No. The only thing that tests positive for cocaine is cocaine.

20. I was “on the block” last week and I was around a group of people smoking marijuana. Will I test positive for drugs?

A) Yes, enough second hand smoke can cause a person to test positive.
B) No, if I test positive for marijuana it is only because I smoked. (Meaning I put the joint, blunt, bong, etc, to my mouth and took a hit.)
C) Not sure.

21. My current treatment plan is intensive outpatient, what will happen to my treatment plan if I continue to use/relapse with drugs and/or have poor attendance and participation in my outpatient program.

A) Nothing. I was told that my treatment plan is outpatient and it cannot change.
B) I will be discharged from Drug Court and will have to do my jail alternative.
C) A change in my treatment plan. I may be referred to an inpatient program for a higher level of care.
D) Not sure.

22. Is it expected that I wear “suitable” attire when I appear in front of the Judge?

A) Yes, I should treat all court appearances as if it was a job interview.
B) No, I can just wear shorts and a T-shirt if I want to.

23. I should inform my case manager of any contacts with the police and/or re-arrest.

A) True.
B) False.

24. If I attend school, all attendance and participation at school directly affects my compliance status in court.

A) True.
B) False.

25. If I do not complete Drug Court successfully my case will be dismissed.

A) True.
B) False.

26. When I fill out job applications, can I say yes I don't have any convictions?

A) Yes because the employer has no way of finding out.
B) No because it doesn't really matter.
C) You can answer yes to not having any convictions, but if the question ask have you ever been arrested you must also say yes and then go on to explain the charges against you were dismissed.

ANSWERS

1.C, 2.A, 3.B, 4.A, 5.A, 6.B, 7.A, 8.A, 9.C, 10.C, 11.A, 12.C, 13.B, 14.A, 15.B, 16.B, 17.B, 18.B, 19.A, 20.B, 21.C, 22.A, 23.A, 24.A, 25.B, 26.C

If there are any other question that you would like answered, please contact your Case Manager or at drugcourtinfo@nycdrugcourt