Who can be referred?

The Programme

What happens if you do not attend 

If you re-offend whilst on the scheme

back to other services

Deferment and Offenders Services: 

      Deferred Sentence Scheme

The scheme was set up to assist those who appear in court on charges brought about by misuse of alcohol.  It offers an integrated range of assessment, education and counselling services intended to:

• Increase client’s knowledge and attitudes towards responsible consumption of alcohol, especially in relation to offending.

• Try to prevent the development of serious alcohol problems.

• Encourage clients to change (reduce, stop, modify drinking behaviour).

SMART Recovery
Support Meeting

Who Can Be Referred?                                                                    

• Those who appear on a first charge and also repeat offenders.

The Programme                                                                               

• You will be invited to attend to assess your suitability for the scheme.

• You will be given 2 appointments during the 3-week period that your case will be adjourned for.

• You will be assessed by a trained and experienced counsellor regarding:

>  Drinking habits/history.

>  Offending behaviour.

>  Willingness to participate in the scheme.

>  Motivation to change.

• On return to court, following the adjournment, an assessment report will be available for the Justice. 

• If you are deemed suitable, sentence will be deferred for an initial period of 3 months and depending on progress can be extended.

• Regular appointments will be offered for you to attend counselling.

• At the end of the initial period, a progress report will be submitted to the court.  It will outline attendance, progress made and will include a recommendation. Clients are made aware of the content of the report.

What Happens If You Do Not Attend                                            

If you do not attend  or fully co-operate we are obliged to inform the Court who will then  dispose of your case as they see fit on the basis of the information contained within the report.

If You Re-offend Whilst On The Scheme                                      

The court may ask for a report from us.  In it we will state whether or not we feel that counselling should be continued.  If the report is not favourable, the court may choose to dispose of both cases at this point.