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Twelve graduates earn opportunity to expunge record

The Second Judicial District held Drug Court Friday, May 16; and in a ceremony directly after proceedings, celebrated graduation for 12 participants.

Christina Teasley, Savanah Tutor, Doris Jones, Jalisa Durant, Lexie Barganier, Teshaurah Payne, Brian Yertzell, Carson Cobb, Haley Petty, Justice Basom, Tayna Newman and Amanda Brooks made up the graduating class. Presiding Judge Adrian Johnson said the group was the largest number he has witnessed matriculating out of the program. 

It was a rewarding moment for participants and the volunteers who had helped them reach the pivotal moment on their road to recovery. 

“The best thing about drug court is [participants] have an opportunity to put this charge behind [them] and hopefully wipe clean their record.”

Johnson called graduates to the bench, inviting them to sit before the audience while he presented their certificates. Each had the opportunity to say a word to guests and a few thanked their family and supporters while others offered encouragement to those still working through the program.

Rev. Charles Box leads professional development for Drug Court. He encouraged graduates and the audience, composed largely of Drug Court participants, to avoid distraction and relapse by maintaining a focus on three key elements. 

“It’s real simple,” Box said. “There are three things that we ought to be focused on in life, and if we lose our focus, we miss these. These three things are faith, family and future.

“People get distracted, especially by the drugs and alcohol, pleasure, money, sex, material things. People get distracted, and they don’t focus on faith, family and future; and the result of that is terrible misery in our society.”

Box clarified by pointing out how individuals can retain their focus. 

“We’re talking about serving God [and reading] the Bible, living according to the teachings in His Word, getting serious about salvation, getting serious about being right with God and having a real faith that’s living and active.”

Box presented graduates with a Bible and a copy of the book, “Muscle and a Shovel” by Michael Shank. Graduates also received a gift bag and certificate. 

Drug Court is an opportunity for individuals convicted of drug-related crimes to complete a series of requirements with the potential to have their charges dismissed and their records expunged. A few of their requirements include getting a job, court fines, submitting to and passing regular drug tests, completing community-service hours, attending addiction support and professional development sessions and more. Those who fail drug tests face jail time, and failure to meet standards can result in expulsion from the program.

“Hopefully, if you live a life that is clean and sober, you will have the tools necessary to do so the rest of your life,” Johnson told one man who was just beginning the process. “Once we complete drug court, in at least a year’s program, we’ll have an opportunity to have graduation, just like we’re about to have today. 

“And more importantly, we [have an opportunity for] the charge to be dismissed, and then you can have an opportunity to have your record expunged after that.”