Report to the General Assembly (Published)

Document Title

Court Services for Drug Offenders

Author

Virginia State Crime Commission

Enabling Authority

SJR 89 (Regular Session, 1994)

Executive Summary

During the 1994 General Assembly session, Senator Edgar S. Robb of Charlottesville successfully patroned Senate Joint Resolution 89, directing the Virginia State Crime Commission to study court services for drug offenders and alternatives to incarceration. SJR 89 specifically requested that the Commission consider the effectiveness and efficiency of substance abuse treatment for drug offenders, and the role of substance abuse treatment in community corrections programs in lieu of incarceration.

Code of Virginia 9-125 establishes and directs the Virginia State Crime Commission "to study, report, and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection." Code of Virginia 9-127 provides that "the Commission shall have only the duty and power to make such studies and gather information in order to accomplish its purpose, as set forth in Code 9-125, and to formulate its recommendations tot he Governor and the General Assembly." Code of Virginia 9-134 authorizes the Commission to "conduct private and public hearings, and to designate a member of the Commission to preside over such hearings." The Virginia State Crime Commission, in fulfilling its legislative mandate, undertook the study of court services for drug offenders.