Arkansas Code Title 16. Practice, Procedure, and Courts § 16-98-302. Purpose and intent

(1) Integration of substance abuse treatment with justice system case processing;

(2) Use of a nonadversarial approach in which prosecution and defense promote public safety while protecting the right of the accused to due process;

(3) Early identification, with the use of a validated risk-needs assessement,  1 of eligible moderate-to-high-risk participants and prompt placement of eligible participants;

(4) Access to a continuum of treatment, rehabilitation, and related services;

(5) Frequent testing for alcohol and illicit drugs;

(6) A coordinated strategy among the judge, prosecution, defense, and treatment providers to govern offender compliance;

(7) Ongoing judicial interaction with each participant;

(8) Monitoring and evaluation of the achievement of program goals and effectiveness;

(9) Continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective planning, implementation, and operation; and

(10) Development of partnerships with public agencies and community-based organizations to generate local support and enhance drug court effectiveness.

(c)(1) Drug court programs are specialized court dockets within the existing structure of the Arkansas court system. Drug court programs offer judicial monitoring of intensive treatment and strict supervision of addicts in drug and drug-related cases.

(2) The creation of a drug court docket and the appointment of a circuit judge to that docket shall be approved by the administrative judge in each judicial circuit and made a part of the judicial circuit's administrative plan required by Supreme Court Administrative Order Number 14.