STARRETT TO UTILIZE DRUG COURT

Those accused of federal drug crimes could end up in a Forrest County drug
court.

Keith Starrett was the state's first circuit judge to develop a
felony-level drug court operation in Mississippi. Forrest-Perry Circuit
Court Judge Bob Helfich, who modeled his court after the one started by
Starrett when he was a circuit judge, offered to take some federal cases.

"I saw no reason to duplicate what was available and when Judge Helfrich
offered, I accepted," said Starrett, now U.S. District Court judge in
Hattiesburg. "I see this as a good way for state and federal courts to
cooperate."

Starrett's drug court became a model for many of the 13 drug courts in the
state that have developed since 1999.

Starrett has already assigned one person in his court to the Forrest program.

"I made it part of his probation, to complete drug court," Starrett said.
"Judge Helfrich has a good program with a good staff."

Drug Court participants are given the option of going to jail or pursuing
treatment. If they choose the latter, they are required to attend weekly
meetings, hold jobs, pay court fees and pass drug tests.

The drill is a familiar one for Starrett.

"We've been to his court a number of times," Helfrich said of the operation
run by Starrett. "We basically modeled our operation after his."

Helfrich has another tie to the judge.

Starrett's daughter, Leah Claire Bennett, a doctoral student in psychology
at the University of Southern Mississippi, volunteers her time to provide
free evaluations for drug court participants.

"She grew up with a drug court operation, although I don't suspect she ever
thought she would be involved with one," Starrett said.

About 637 offenders who have drug and alcohol abuse problems are currently
participating in the state's drug courts.

The Forrest-Perry Drug Court has more than 80 participants.

Starrett said he knows how the drug court is operating in the 14th Circuit
because he calls Pike County weekly for an update.

With no successor named for his circuit position, Starrett keeps up with
the drug operation in Pike County.

"I care about this program because it works and I don't want to see the
district lose it," Starrett said.

[Sidebar]

How It Works

# When suspects are arrested they are given the opportunity to have their
cases referred to a drug court. The program is for non-violent and
primarily first-time offenders.

# Defendants plead guilty and enter the program where they can stay for up
to five years.

# As part of the deal, those in the program face regular testing for drug
or alcohol use.

# Those in the program must pay restitution to crime victims. Defendants
must perform a maximum 150 hours of community service.