We are expanding the Catoosa County Pre-Trial Drug Diversion Program. It
will now be known as the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Pre-Trial Drug
Diversion Program. The program has proven to be successful according to Dr.
Denny Whitesel, the director of the Center for HOPE which operates the
program. The program has had several graduates to date and only two have
failed to complete the program requirements. The Center for HOPE now has or
soon will have offices in each county of the circuit where they can meet
with program participants.
As a defense attorney, if you have a client who is an offender who
has committed a property or drug crime that did not result in injury to a
victim and the client has no significant criminal history and whose
underlying problem is drug and/or alcohol addiction, please contact the
Assistant District Attorney who is handling the case to initially review the
case and determine if it is appropriate to refer the defendant to the Center
for HOPE for an evaluation and determination of eligibility.
A few things you need to know: The program is faith based. There
are three tiers of treatment, depending upon the evaluation. It does cost
money but the cost is on a sliding scale. If there is a victim, the victim
must consent and, if there is restitution due to the victim, that must be
paid. There is also a one-time administrative fee which must be paid to the
Clerk of the Superior Court of the county.
If you think your client may be eligible, please let the District
Attorney's Office know as soon as possible. If you wait until close to
calendar call, you might not get the evaluation done in time.
Herbert E. (Buzz) Franklin
District Attorney
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit