§12-23A-9. Functions of Administrative Office of Courts.

(a) The Administrative Office of Courts, hereinafter AOC, shall assist in the planning, implementation, and development of drug courts statewide. AOC shall make recommendations to the Alabama Supreme Court and the Chief Justice concerning the legal, policy, and procedural issues confronting the drug courts in the state. Nothing in this section shall impede the constitutional authority of the district attorney.

(b) AOC shall provide state-level coordination and support for drug court judges and their programs and operate as a liaison between drug court judges and other state-level agencies providing services to or benefitting from drug court programs.

(c) The Administrative Director of Courts shall make recommendations to the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court concerning criteria for eligibility, the promulgation of procedural rules, the establishment of guidelines for operation, and adoption of standards and protocols for the various drug courts of this state. All rules, guidelines, standards, and protocols shall periodically be reviewed and revised.

(d) AOC shall identify existing resources for assessment and treatment and make recommendations for the allocation of those resources; explore grants and funds necessary to support drug courts; promote and provide annual training and technical assistance for all drug court judges and criminal justice personnel involved in drug courts, as well as education for the public about the effectiveness of drug court; and establish evaluation criteria and procedures, including tracking the status of drug offenders after concluding drug court. The critical performance measures to be collected shall include those set forth in subsection (a) of Section 12-23A-10.

(e) The local drug court team or advisory committee, or both, shall ensure the provision of a full continuum of care for drug offenders.

(f) The presiding judge of each circuit shall report to AOC by the fifteenth day of January of each year. The report shall include all of the following:

(1) A description of the drug court operating within the jurisdiction.

(2) The name of the participating judge or judges.

(3) Community involvement.

(4) Education and training.

(5) Use of existing resources.

(6) Collaborative efforts.

(7) An evaluation of the critical data elements required by subsection (a) of Section 12-23A-10.

(g) The Administrative Director of Courts shall provide a statewide report each year during the regular legislative session to the Alabama Supreme Court, Legislature, and Governor regarding the need for, and implementation of, this chapter. The report shall include a synopsis of such information or data necessary to determine the impact, utility, and cost-effectiveness of its implementation and ongoing operation.

(Act 2010-754, p. 1909, §9.)