Advantages of  S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T.
There are many advantages of S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. over the traditional  prosecution and trial of addicted defendants.

First:
The chemically dependent defendant in this program enters treatment four to six months earlier than under the traditional trial calendar disposition. This is a substantial benefit to the user because  treatment will start within days after the arrest. It provides a strong likelihood of a reduction in crimes committed by these individuals while waiting for their trial. The immediacy of treatment also improves the likelihood of successfully completing a treatment program.

Second:
The cost of indigent defense is a problem. The Indigent Defender Board is overworked. Indigent defendants are constitutionally entitled to a lawyer. It is important that new ways to deliver the constitutionally mandated representation in a quality manner are discovered. A system streamlined to reduce waste and conserve time, effort and funds must be found.

Third:
The 16th Judicial District will enjoy a substantial savings in police time on cases entering S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. The savings occur as a result of the defendant's waiver of indictment and stipulation of the police report. The defendant's agreement to a stipulated fact trial based on the police report alone will save the cost of subpoenaing officers and overtime paid to some law enforcement agencies.

Fourth:
S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. cases will not be supervised by Probation and Parole of the Department of Corrections. It will be supervised by the treatment program and the Court itself. If any defendants are not in compliance with treatment, that information is immediately submitted to the S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. Court. The Court then cites or issues an arrest warrant for the defendant's immediate appearance in court. This will result in savings to the Department of Corrections of a large amount of money.
 
Fifth:
The Court will impose a S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. fee of $500 for each defendant. However, addicted defendants have many problems and a large percent are simply unable to pay. Chronic unemployment among addicted drug users is the norm rather than the exception.

Sixth:
S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. defendants receive more intensive treatment and urinalysis than in the normal case. The S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. defendants will have far more court contact and direct supervision than in the usual drug case today. Each defendant appears in court at least once a month so the Court may monitor progress and hold hearings regarding noncompliance.

The concentration of treatment and court supervision is a substantial improvement over the past practice. The program is the first step towards the day when there will be treatment on demand. It is an acknowledgement that the criminal justice system should treat drug use as a disease, albeit one with criminal justice consequences. The program offers a defendant who is serious and wants to stop using a real opportunity for treatment and, if successful, a dismissal of the charge.