The Misdemeanor Management Services (MMS) Program offers the Court a viable alternative to incarceration in the sentencing of misdemeanor offenders. Individuals are placed on supervised probation for generally a period of 11 months and 29 days. During this time, the probation supervisor closely monitors the clients to ensure compliance with the Probation Order. The Misdemeanor Program is a special tool for the court, one that has already proven successful with increases in county and city revenues generated by court cost payments. In addition, the probation service is totally self-supporting. MMS is funded only through the collection of supervision fees that are paid by the offenders. Excess funds (overcosts) are used within the Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency. This allows the MMS program to give back to the communities in the form of other services our agency provides.
In an effort to prevent repeat offenders, the Probation Supervisors connect the offenders with resources such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation, educational training and counseling services. MMS works with referral service agencies that are certified and licensed by the state of Tennessee.
The goals of MMS are to help offenders develop more structure within their lives and to encourage them to grow as effective citizens within their community. The program works closely with General Sessions and Circuit Court Judges., District Attorneys, Public Defenders, Law Enforcement Officers and Defense Attorneys to ensure the goals are met. Currently the MMS program provides services for the counties of Houston, Sumner, Stewart, Trousdale and Williamson.
Who is Eligible?
Persons convicted of misdemeanor offenses in General Sessions and Circuit and Criminal Courts are eligible to be placed on the program.
Funding Source:
The Misdemeanor Services Program generates its own revenue through the receipt of supervision fees from the offenders served. MMS is the only Mid-Cumberland program that does not operate under a grant or receive reimbursement from local, state or federal agencies.
The DUI School is a state-licensed program certified and monitored by the State of Tennessee Department of Health. It is designed to help individuals in need of alcohol/drug education and to assess the need of further, more in-depth counseling on alcohol/drug use. Tennessee State law requires that anyone who has been found guilty of a first offense DUI must enroll in a state-certified 12-hour DUI school and obtain a diploma from that school. In order for DUI offenders to obtain their license at the end of their one-year probation sentence, they must complete the requirements of the course. The DUI School works closely with different referral sources (Pathfinders, Cumberland Heights, Buffalo Valley, Mental Health Co-op), probation officers and judges from each of the counties in which the program provides services.
The Program currently offers classes in Davidson, Dickson, Houston, and Trousdale Counties. During classes, offenders engage in group discussions, watch related videotapes, are educated on the abuse of drugs and alcohol and the effects they have on the body and on motor vehicle safety. Each participant must also take part in a one-on-one interview with the instructor for an assessment of future abuse. At the end of DUI School, offenders receive their diplomas and are given recommendations for further counseling based on their alcohol/drug assessment.
Who is Eligible?
Whomever the state mandates, regardless of the offense committed.
Funding Source:
The DUI School generates its own revenue from the $125.00 tuition fee paid by the clients.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - BRINGING PEACE TO RELATIONSHIPS
This course is a 24-week open-ended class for batterers that is approved by the State of Tennessee. The intent of this class is for the perpetrator to recognize the cycle of violence and be able to break that cycle. The program is structured so that each individual has the opportunity to be an active participant in each session and is able to develop a more positive attitude. The cost is $50 for the first session, which includes the workbook. The remaining 23 sessions are $15 each, all payable by money order.
This course is an 8-week open-ended class for people who cannot control their anger, yet are not batterers. The intent in this class is to break the cycle of anger. The design is similar to that of the DV course. The cost of this class is $30 for the first session and workbook and $15 for each of the seven remaining sessions.
This course is designed to inform youth about the effects and repercussions of tobacco use. Because there are varying opinions and misconceptions about the use of tobacco, this course educates the participants on the facts. The curriculum consists of the history of tobacco, health risks and smokeless tobacco and teaches youth to analyze advertisements as well as understand the effects of the chemicals that are used in making tobacco for consumer use.
The participants learn how they can make their neighborhood, home, school and work a cleaner environment for themselves and everyone around them. Our goal is to reduce the number of young smokers.
Sumner County uses a Level of Service Inventory (LSI), which is an alcohol and drug assessment tool. Its use is often a condition of probation for DUI and drug-related offenses. Frequently an offender is evaluated in jail before release or a sentencing hearing to determine the type of service needed. Services range from no service needed to in-patient treatment with a full follow-up of care for a year or more. A report is sent to the client's probation officer after each assessment.
