Mary Bush
Director of Recovery Court & Probation
Mary Bush is a native of Smith County. She graduated from Smith County High School in 2013, and then graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice. After graduation she started her career by working at Tennessee Department of Correction as a probation and parole officer. She was able to gain her knowledge of the court system as well as the ability to supervise probationers and provide a much-needed service to Smith County. Mrs. Bush worked with TDOC for over three years and then transitioned to the role of Director of Recovery Court and Probation for Smith County in April of 2021. Mrs. Bush has a husband, Denver Hall, and one son Bentley Bush. Most of their time is spent at Crump Paris Park watching their son Bentley play ball.
Recovery Court
The mission of the Drug Court Program is to break the cycle of re-arrests driven by drug and alcohol abuse. The program’s goal is to identify eligible offenders as early in the legal process as possible and provide the appropriate level of community-based care while ensuring public safety by utilizing individual assessments and intensive supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of the Recovery Court program?
The Smith County Misdemeanor Recovery Court program’s objective is to channel the non-violent substance abusers who have met the eligibility requirements into a comprehensive and coordinated program of rehabilitation and drug services.
What is the primary goal of the Recovery Court program?
The primary goal of the program is to break the cycle of drug abuse in correlation to criminal behavior by developing an effective treatment alternative that is premised on mandatory attendance and monitoring sobriety rather than incarceration. Instead of handling cases in a strictly punitive manner, the drug court team contemplates treating the addict for the addiction, which in most cases is the primary reason for his or her involvement in the criminal justice system.
Who are the team members of the Recovery Court program?
The program will rely on the personal involvement of a single Drug Court Judge, who in our case is Judge Bellar, and he will help closely monitor the participation of the defendants through the recovery court process. Also, the recovery program’s team consists of eight volunteers, along with Smith County District Attorney, Public Defender, Recovery Court case manager, Jail Administrator, Probation Officer, and a Treatment Provider, who all take their time to provide support and assistance to the participants.
What are some elements of the Recovery Court program?
The program consists of frequent contact with the Judge, Case Manager, and Probation Officer, ongoing meetings, drug screens, and inpatient and outpatient services. The goal is to provide an intensive form of supervision, while also meeting the needs of each participant. The collaborative elements that our program offers help provide the participants with a well-rounded support system and treatment options. Also, while in the program, the participants can receive assistance with employment, education, obtaining their license, helping plan a budget, and, most of all, assistance with their sobriety. Lastly, the program will closely monitor the participants throughout their whole process to ensure public safety as well as the participants’ safety.
Recovery Program Statistics
Smith County’s Recovery Court statistics reveal a higher percentage of success than that of the state average in the following areas: Participant gained or maintained full or part-time employment between admission and discharge, and Participant improved or maintained their independent living situation between admission and discharge.
Probation
First, what is probation? Probation is an alternative option for individuals in the criminal justice system rather than serving jail time. This means that individuals who receive probation are now under strict rules to ensure the public’s safety. The purpose of probation is to help reduce overcrowding in our county jail, provide an opportunity for individuals to be productive citizens while paying their dues to society, and provide structure to ensure the public’s safety.
While on probation, individuals are required to report bi-weekly, or once a month, depending on how they are doing. Individuals are required to work, pay court fines and supervision fees, and are required to complete random drug screens. Also, the Smith County Misdemeanor Probation office has the ability to help aid with probationer’s recovery process if requested. Our office works hand and hand with the Recovery Court program, which provides the ability to assist probationers with rehab and services for drug abuse. Also, the Smith County Misdemeanor Office helps probationer set up his or her Assessments, Anger Management classes, DUI School and/or Victim Impact classes, which these classes can help individuals obtain their license.
Recovery Court/Probation Officers
Chris Flatt
Recovery Court/Probation Officer
Phone: (615) 588-1550, Ext. 1
Crystal Morgan
Recovery Court/Probation Officer
Phone: (615) 588-1550, Ext. 3
OFFICE INFO
Business Hours
Address
322 Justice Drive
Carthage, TN 37030