DRUG COURT CHIEF SORGER ACCUSED OF BATTERY

GLEN CARBON - Police arrested the coordinator of Madison County's Drug
Court early Sunday morning on suspicion of domestic battery and resisting a
police officer.

Terri L. Sorger, 53, of 4 Oxford Lane, was arrested by Glen Carbon Police
and taken to the Madison County Jail just after midnight. She was released
later Sunday.

Glen Carbon Police Chief David Bradford confirmed Sorger had been arrested,
but said Monday he did not know details surrounding the arrest. The
arresting officer was not available for comment.

Sorger, whose phone number is unlisted, could not be reached for comment
Monday. A man who answered her door Monday evening said she wasn't home.

Prosecutors had not filed any charges against Sorger as of Monday
afternoon. In misdemeanor cases, it sometimes take several days before
charges are filed, and sometimes charges are not filed at all.

In Illinois, a person arrested on a charge of domestic battery is held
without bond until a judge sets bail. Jail officials said Circuit Judge Dan
Stack ordered Sunday that Sorger be released on a recognizance bond, which
is a promise to appear in court later. Stack could not be reached Monday
for comment.

In Madison County, prosecutors have urged police officers to make an arrest
or arrests whenever they are called to a report of domestic violence, even
if the victim decides he or she does not want the perpetrator arrested.

In Illinois, a person commits domestic battery when he or she intentionally
causes bodily harm or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking
nature to a family or household member.

Sorger has been the head of Madison County's Drug Court since it was
created in 1996. In drug court, a person arrested for nonviolent,
drug-related offenses can have the charge dismissed if he or she stays off
drugs and meets other requirements.

Madison County's Drug Court was the first in the state. Sorger has traveled
across the country, and internationally, speaking to officials on how to
operate drug courts.

Madison County Chief Judge Edward Ferguson and Darrell McGibany, the
county's director of probation and court services, could not be reached for
comment Monday. County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan said he was not aware of
the arrest.