Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court to Hold December 5 Graduation Ceremony

~ U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott to be ceremony guest speaker and retiring Judge Richard D. Taylor to be honored ~
 

The Richmond Circuit Court’s Adult Drug Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Friday, December 5 at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road. The Honorable Robert “Bobby” Scott, U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District, will be the guest speaker and Dalen Harris, representing the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will also be present to acknowledge the achievements of the graduates. The ceremony will mark the completion of an intensive 18-month outpatient program of drug treatment, probation supervision, judicial monitoring and community service for five Adult Drug Court graduates. Additionally, a special presentation will take place honoring the years of service for retiring Judge Richard D. Taylor, Jr., Richmond Circuit Court (2002-2014) and former Juvenile Court Judge (1993-2002).

As one of more than 2,000 drug courts in the U.S. and one of 36 drug courts in Virginia, the Richmond Adult Drug Court serves non-violent, drug-addicted offenders with pending cases in Richmond’s Circuit Court. Offenders volunteer for the program and participate only after approval of the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Richmond Adult Drug Court participants enter the program with long-term drug addictions and lengthy non-violent criminal histories. More than 98% of the participants are probation violators, and do not receive a reduced or dismissed charge upon graduation. The program has been effective in reducing drug use and crime in the Richmond area, and is more cost-effective than incarceration. Drug Court graduates are employed, pay taxes and child support, and save taxpayers the costs of re-entry into the criminal justice system.

For more information, please contact Tanisha Moseley at (804) 646-3655 or Tanisha.Moseley@RichmondGov.com.