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Judge Boyd: felony drug court at capacity; probation often needed for referrals, judge urges sober-support meetings
Summary
The 187th District Court heard from defense counsel and a defendant about drug-court referrals. The court said felony drug court is at capacity and will operate a waiting list; the judge encouraged daily sober-support meetings and provided a private inpatient program contact (SOBA) as an option.
During routine docket calls, Judge Stephanie Boyd and attorneys discussed referrals to felony drug court and local treatment options for defendants seeking rehabilitation as part of plea or probation alternatives.
When counsel raised the prospect of a drug-court referral, the judge said the felony drug court program had reached capacity: “They're at capacity,” she told the courtroom, and new admissions would face a waiting list. Boyd explained that to be eligible for felony drug court many defendants must be on probation and that being on probation can be a necessary step before a referral can be acted on.
The judge urged defendants to begin immediate sober-support activities while awaiting formal treatment placements. “Do 1 a day. Now, if you feel you need to do 2 a day, 3 a day, then do that,” she said, describing the program formerly referred to as NA and now often called “sober support meetings.” She also offered a local inpatient option name and telephone contact that she read aloud from court materials: SOBA, Texas Drug Rehab Detox and Addiction Recovery, 210-529-8410. Boyd told defendants that completing sober-support meetings and taking steps to show rehabilitation would make them stronger candidates for treatment programs and for consideration by the court.
At least one defense attorney and multiple defendants discussed the availability of TAP (treatment assessment and placement) evaluations and the reality that some programs require out-of-custody participation; the judge ordered TAP or similar evaluations in some cases and instructed counsel to make referrals as appropriate.
The court emphasized that referrals are conditional: felony drug court placements are limited by program capacity, many defendants must be on probation to be referred, and waiting lists may apply. In the meantime, the judge said, defendants should attend sober-support meetings daily and coordinate with probation or counsel about TAP evaluations and program openings.
