Adult Drug Court Fall Commencement Ceremony

• 30 September 2026
• Category: District 3 SJC News
• Tags: 2026

Chair Murphy was the Keynote Speaker at the event

On September 18, 2026, the St. Johns County Adult Drug Court Fall Commencement Ceremony was held at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center. St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Clay Murphy was the Keynote Speaker at the event.

The Mission of the St. Johns County Adult Drug Court is to enhance public safety by providing accountability, treatment, and support to eligible nonviolent individuals with substance use disorders. Through collaboration among the court, treatment providers, and community partners, we aim to reduce substance misuse, decrease repeat criminal behavior, strengthen families, lessen the financial impact on society, and help participants build healthy, productive, and law-abiding lives.

The commencement ceremony featured:

• Welcoming Remarks, Shirley Olson, Chief Deputy Court Administrator
• Invocation, Kelly Kemp, Sr., Chaplain, St Johns County Sheriff’s Office
• Introduction of Keynote Speaker by The Honorable Judge Alexander R. Christine, Jr.
• Keynote Speaker, Clay Murphy, County Commissioner
• Former Drug Court Graduate Comments, Tessa Stancil
• Award Presentations – Our Graduates, Katelyn Hicks and Christina Lammers
• Encouragement, Madison Baker & Family and Friends

The Drug Court Program currently operates in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties. These programs serve non-violent offenders with documented histories of substance abuse. Court proceedings are conducted in Bunnell, Daytona Beach, DeLand, Palatka and St. Augustine. For further assistance, please contact the Drug Court office at (386) 943-7077.

Through an extensive supervision and treatment regimen, Drug Court programs adjudicate cases in which offenders are chronic substance abusers. Drug Courts require offenders to acknowledge their substance abuse problems and provide them with the tools and mechanisms to deal with their addictions. All of this is done in an effort to reduce or eliminate future criminal conduct. The Drug Court program uses a team approach to serve its participants. Team members include the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment specialists, supervision officers, law enforcement agencies, corrections officials and others. Once an offender successfully completes this intensive program, the Court may dismiss the charge, reduce the sentence or offer a combination of other incentives.