THE FOLLOWING IS A FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT RELEASE
Vermilion County, Illinois — The Fifth Judicial Circuit Court will hold a Drug Court Graduation Ceremony on March 11, 2026 at 2:30pm at the Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse, 7 N. Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois. The event will recognize individuals whose lives have been transformed by the treatment and support provided by the program. Media and the public are invited to attend.
This event highlights Vermilion County’s leadership in Specialty Courts, being one of the counties in Illinois to establish three programs:
Drug Court (established in 2001)
Mental Health Court (established in 2011)
Veterans Court (established in 2018)
With their friends and families in attendance, this Graduation will honor individuals who have completed an intensive program of comprehensive substance use disorder treatment, close supervision, and accountability.
Drug courts, also known as treatment or specialty courts, aim to reduce substance use disorder and related crimes in our community. For the graduates, this ceremony marks the completion of an intensive, judicially supervised treatment-focused probation. Participants undergo a rigorous 15–30-month program under close supervision by Judge Charles D. Mockbee IV and a multidisciplinary team including treatment partners, probation officers, law enforcement, the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Vermilion County Public Defender’s Office.
There are more than 4,000 treatment courts in the United States, annually serving more than 150,000 people. These programs provide an alternative to incarceration that effectively breaks the cycle of crime and addiction and improves lives, saves taxpayer dollars, and reunites families.
Program requirements include:
Employment, school enrollment, or community service
Completion of substance abuse treatment and other recommended therapies
Regular and random drug testing
Frequent court appearances for progress review
Home visits and regular contact with probation officers
