Prosecutor and County Officials Celebrate Drug Court Graduates
Published on October 15, 2019
October 15, 2019
On Friday, October 11, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Sheriff James M. Gannon, Freeholder Kathryn A. DeFillippo, Drug Court Coordinator Maria Peralta, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Napurano, Assistant Prosecutor Julian L. Hill, Jr., Esq., joined other county and state officials in honoring 17 graduating participants of Morris County Drug Court program.
The Drug Court graduation ceremony was conducted by Morris County Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz along with Judge James M. DeMarzo and Drug Court Judge Michael E. Hubner.
Seventeen graduating individuals were honored at the ceremony at the Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany. In May 23 others had previously graduated from the Drug Court program. Graduations are held twice a year.
Drug Court was established to offer non-violent drug offenders treatment as opposed to incarceration. Individuals undergo a rigorous program in four phases over 3 years. Upon graduation, individuals must pay their fines and restitution and can apply to have certain convictions expunged, offering them an opportunity to re-enter society as a citizen without the stigma of such a conviction.
Calling Drug Court a critically important program, Prosecutor Knapp thanked the Probation Office and the Drug Court team for their help in saving lives.
Drug Court began in Camden and Essex counties in 1996 and expanded statewide in April 2002 when Morris and Sussex counties joined.
Prosecutor Knapp said Assignment Judge Minkowitz, Judge DeMarzo and Judge Hubner and members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office work tirelessly with the Office of the Public Defender to help people get into the program. It is my Office's continuing goal to admit deserving individuals into Drug Court whenever possible. We work together with the Drug Court team to ensure every graduate has a successful outcome.
Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.
