Nonviolent offenders graduate from drug court

Thirty-three people on Friday graduated from District Court's specialty drug court program aimed at treating nonviolent drug offenders while keeping them out of jail.

Judge Linda Marie Bell, who oversees the specialty court, said, "To see so many people get it right and turn their lives around demonstrates the effectiveness of linking participants to resources to improve their chances for success."

A commencement ceremony was held at the Regional Justice Center where the jurists who first sentenced them offered their encouragement, including judges Bell, Kathleen Delaney, Stefany Miley and Michael Villani.

Judicial officials consider the drug court program to be one of the most successful jail diversionary programs the court offers.

Clark County has several different types of specialty courts in District Court, Justice Court and Municipal Court, including drug, DUI and mental health court.

The goal of the courts is to get nonviolent offenders out of the Clark County Detention Center and provide guidance and treatment to prevent them from committing new offenses, while saving tax dollars.

Once defendants successfully complete specialty court treatment, the original criminal case against them is dismissed.

Court officials estimate that drug court has saved more than $40 million since it was founded 20 years ago.