AMY BURFORD MCCARTNEY PROPOSES SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ADDICTION, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND JUVENILE ISSUES

(Mansfield, La) – Judicial candidate Amy Burford McCartney announced today her plan to
provide new solutions to address crime in DeSoto Parish. McCartney stated that the plan
includes implementing new court programs, strengthening current programs that are intended
to protect victims of domestic violence, rehabilitate non-violent substance abusers, and help
juveniles learn responsibility and make good choices in life.

DRUG COURT
McCartney proposed instituting a Drug Court program within the 42nd Judicial District Court.
Drug Courts are intensive drug-treatment programs that are administered by the district court
and under the supervision of the La. Supreme Court. Drug Courts provide both treatment and
educational components with the district judge awarding incentives and sanctions based upon
the performance of the participants while in the program.
A Drug Court participant must be approved by the court and plead guilty to a felony. However,
if they agree to fully and successfully participate in all facets of the 24-month program, their
initial charge will be dismissed. Program requirements include weekly drug testing, 6 hours
weekly of drug counseling and education, full time employment, continuous oversight from a
drug treatment counselor and probation officer, and weekly visits with the district judge to
discuss the previous week’s progress.
There are 30 Drug Courts in the Louisiana, including in Caddo and Natchitoches parishes.
“I recently visited the Drug Court of the 10th Judicial District Court in Natchitoches. In meeting
with the education and treatment staff as well as with both judges who administer the court, I
saw first-hand the value of the program,” said McCartney.
“Some of the addiction related crimes they see in their district are very similar to what we face
here in DeSoto Parish. Further, we know that many property crimes, such as burglaries and
thefts, are the result of drug addiction,” said McCartney.
“As your next District Judge, I will work diligently with community leaders, including crime
victims and families affected by substance addiction, to make DeSoto Parish a stronger, safer
community,” said McCartney.

SUPPORTING GWEN’S LAW
“Gwen’s Law was enacted to protect victims of domestic violence by requiring a mandatory
bail hearing and a risk assessment for felony domestic violence arrests. Although the
Legislature has amended some of the requirements, I fully support our court’s attention to this
matter,” said McCartney.
The La. Code of Criminal Procedure Article 330.3 provides that a bail hearing may be held prior
to setting bail for a person in custody who is charged with domestic abuse battery, violation of
protective orders, stalking, or any felony offense involving the use or threatened use of force or
a deadly weapon upon the defendant's family member, household member, or dating partner.
“As judge, I will follow the law and procedure in assessing the determining factors of a
defendant charged with a domestic violence felony, including reviewing the potential threat or
danger the defendant poses to the victim, the family of the victim or any member of the public,
especially children,” said McCartney.
“We must do everything we can in DeSoto Parish to protect victims of crimes while upholding
the rights of the defendant,” said McCartney.

JUVENILE ISSUES
“We can do more to help juveniles stay in school and make the right choices in their young
lives. By continuing a positive dialogue and working with our schools, parents, student leaders
and law enforcement, we can reduce truancy and misdemeanor juvenile crime.
“I recently visited Teen Court in Bossier Parish and can see the benefits of the program. We
need to help kids learn early in life the value of making good choices and consequences for
their actions,” said McCartney.
Teen Court is a voluntary diversion program in which teens try and sentence their peers for first
time misdemeanor offenses such as shoplifting, school altercations and damage to
property. Teen volunteers perform the roles of prosecution and defense attorneys, bailiff and
jurors. In Teen Court, the defendant has admitted guilt. Therefore, the jury's responsibility is to
determine a sentence. The teen jury determines a fair and constructive sentence, which may
include community service and participation in attending educational programs, writing essays
and letters of apology and repaying the victim. Licensed attorneys serve as judges and
supervise the proceedings.
“As your next district judge, I will welcome the input of community leaders in finding solutions
such as Teen Court in which teens can learn responsibility and gain valuable experience that
will help them transition into productive young adults,” said McCartney.

COURTROOM TO THE CLASSROOM
McCartney also announced her program called “Courtroom to the Classroom”, in which the
court will visit high school civics classes to discuss our judicial system and how laws define our
society. Her program also will invite younger age school groups to visit the court and learn
about making good choices in life.
“If we can reach out to our youth and foster a positive impression of the legal system and the
laws of our society, we will see less of our youth in the court system,” said McCartney.

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Amy Burford McCartney is the only candidate for district judge who was nominated this year
by the citizens of DeSoto Parish. The election will be held on November 8. Early voting will
occur from October 25 through November 1 at the DeSoto Parish Registrar of Voters.

Amy Burford McCartney for Judge
PO Box 475
Stonewall, LA 71078

This release was published on openPR.