Leading Brisbane Specialist Criminal Defence Lawyers Drug Alcohol Court Qld Open

Leading Brisbane criminal defence lawyers, Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers, announce the reintroduction of The Drug and Alcohol Court in Queensland (operational November 2017). Addressing underlying addiction for drug and alcohol related criminal offences; aims to lower reoffending rates, providing long-term benefits to individuals and wider community.

Bardon, Australia - November 2, 2017 /NewsNetwork/ —

Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers announce the reintroduction of The Drug and Alcohol Court in Queensland is expected to be operational in Brisbane by November 2017. This is a significant change that recognises that addiction is often the root cause of many drug and alcohol related crimes. As leading Brisbane criminal lawyers, Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers want to ensure that the general public and those who might find the themselves charged with drug and alcohol related crimes are aware of the implications of these changes – Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers can be found at http://www.mulcahyryanlawyers.com.au/

The need for the reintroduction of the Drug and Alcohol Court was identified primarily from an alarming increase in the number of people encountering the criminal justice system in Queensland particularly for illicit drug crimes. For the 4 years ending 30 June 2015, despite a population increase of only 6%, police actions for illicit drug crimes increased over 70% and the proportion of non-court illicit drug action fell from 31% to 24%.

The broad objectives of the Drug and Alcohol Court are to reduce the risks, frequency and seriousness of criminal offending of people with alcohol and other drug issues; divert offenders from prison where appropriate and safe to the community to do so and reduce their risks of future imprisonment; and improve health and social outcomes for the defendant and their family members.

Drug courts provide many cost-related and social benefits to the community, operating as an alternative to imprisonment and addressing the underlying issues related to their offending. Although difficult to quantify, the health and social benefits of drug courts, not just for the offender but for their family and community, are equally important. These benefits include reductions in drug use and associated health issues, easing the burden these offenders place on the health system, the reunification of families, babies born drug-free, the retention of stable accommodation, engagement of offenders in employment, education and training, and a reduction in offending.

The Drug and Alcohol Court will, where appropriate, enable some high-risk (in terms of drug addiction) adult offenders to be subject to a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order providing them access to rehabilitation services, lowering reoffending rates and diverting them away from the overburdened Magistrates Court system. These criminal drug offenders are unlikely to be successful in overcoming their drug or alcohol addiction under minimal to moderate supervision arrangements (i.e. high risk and high need offenders with entrenched drug and/or alcohol problems).

A worldwide evaluation found that drug court programs had a positive impact with reoffending rates improving somewhere between 8 and 13 percent. This is a great result given the nature of offenders at which this intervention is targeted (high risk and high needs offenders).

Wendy Mulcahy, Principal at Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers, commented “Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers, welcome the Government’s announcement to re-introduce the Drug and Alcohol Court in November 2017. The Court will be given special powers to deal with criminal drug and alcohol offenders that are suffering from specific drug and alcohol issues. Rehabilitation will be a central focus of the Drug and Alcohol Court through intervention, access to treatment and support. This benefits the wider community as worldwide evidence suggests drug courts reduce reoffending, improve health and employment outcomes and leave the community safer”.

Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers can provide more information regarding the implications of the reintroduction of the Drug and Alcohol Court with respect to criminal drug and alcohol offences. For those needing the services of leading Brisbane criminal defence lawyers for drug and alcohol offences contact Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers at http://www.mulcahyryanlawyers.com.au/.

Contact Info:
Name: Wendy Mulcahy
Email: [email protected]
Organization: Mulcahy Ryan Lawyers
Address: 8/62 MacGregor Terrace, Bardon, Queensland 4065, Australia
Phone: +61-7-3217-5511

For more information, please visit http://www.mulcahyryanlawyers.com.au/

Source: NewsNetwork

Release ID: 259263