DUI Treatment Court

DUI Treatment Court Named 1 of 4 Academy Courts in U.S. in 2020

The National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have named the Athens-Clarke County DUI Treatment Court as one of only four national academy courts in the United States. The Athens-Clarke County DUI Treatment Court was also selected as a national academy court in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017.

As an NCDC Academy Court, the Athens-Clarke County DUI Treatment Court will help develop, identify and test national best practices for DWI treatment courts, provide technical assistance, and host jurisdictions interested in starting a DWI treatment court.

The Athens-Clarke County DUI Treatment Court was selected from over 700 DWI courts nationwide and will serve a term of three years. 

The DUI Treatment Court Difference 

The Athens DUI Treatment Court’s mission is to increase public safety, save lives, and strengthen families. The Court seeks to lead justice-involved individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder into a life of recovery and stability. The Court employs a holistic approach that combines evidence-based therapeutic interventions, comprehensive support services, and enhanced supervision and accountability. The Court develops individualized treatment and supervision plans for each participant based upon the participant’s particular needs. The Court partners with many local agencies to provide a full continuum of treatment options, safe sober housing, medical and dental services, employment opportunities, transportation assistance, and educational and vocational training.

The Athens DUI Treatment Court was originally designed and implemented in February, 2001 in the State Court of Athens-Clarke County under the direction of Judge Kent Lawrence. It became the first operational DUI Court in the State of Georgia. Since 2008, the Athens DUI Treatment Court has served as one of four National Academy Courts selected by the National Center for DWI Courts and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Court uses a team concept that includes the Judges, the Solicitor-General’s Office, law enforcement, licensed treatment clinicians, the Public Defender's Office, the court coordinator, the probation department, and Athens Diversion Center. 

The Program consists of four phases:

  • Phase I: Extended assessment
  • Phase II: Treatment and early recovery
  • Phase III: Relapse prevention
  • Phase IV: Recovery management

Inclement Weather:

In the case of inclement weather, please check the following for information as to whether the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse or Family Counseling Services are open.

  • Facebook.com/accduicourt
  • Athens-Clarke County Courthouse - accgov.com/statecourt

If the Courthouse is closed, any scheduled status conferences, probation petition hearings, probation appointments, or other matters taking place in the Courthouse will be rescheduled.  

For holiday testing hours, please go to Family Counseling Services between the hours of 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Family Counseling Services - please call 706-353-2309

Please call the above phone number, and then dial your counselors extension (Cheran: 261). If group, individual appointments, or Check In are being cancelled, there will be a message stating that they are cancelled. If we are open and still having group and/or individual appointment or Check In, there will be no message and you should attend.