The History and goals of Recovery Court

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The original Drug Court in the Fourth Judicial District was one of the first Drug Courts in the state, established in 1999. Recovery Court is a redesigned drug court, formerly known as ACDC (Adult Criminal Drug Court) and HEALS Court (Healthy, Engaged, and Living Sober)). Our program participants have many types of convictions which are drug-related and/or drug motivated. 

Recovery Court serves people who are struggling with the disease of addiction and whose drug use is a primary cause of their criminal behavior. Recovery Court uses supervision, regular court appearances, and treatment to help participants get into recovery and work to address other needs specific to you. 

The mission of the Fourth Judicial District Recovery Court is to promote public safety and foster individual transformation by supporting participants with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through evidence-based treatment, court supervision, and a continuum of supportive services. This mission is achieved through a combination of accountability, collaboration, and trauma-informed care.

Our focus is to increase stability factors within a participant’s life that will help them succeed in their daily life and with their families and benefit the community with their talents.  

Benefits to the public:

The 4th Judicial District Recovery Court is modeled after evidence-based problem solving drug courts, which have proven to be effective in handling criminal cases of substance abusers by heavily focusing on treatment, close probation supervision, and regular drug testing. These courts have been found to restore lives and prevent future arrests. One of the primary goals of the judiciary is always to protect the public by reducing recidivism (re-arrests). The close monitoring by the courts and probation increases public safety. By finding alternatives to jail/prison, we reduce the cost of jail and prison beds. Our end goal is to reintegrate our fellow citizens back into society, making them independent citizens again.

Basic eligibility:

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Defendant is assessed as having high risk and needs. 
  • Defendant has substance use concerns.
  • Defendant must reside in the 4th Judicial District for the duration of the program.
  • Eligible for probation or facing probation revocation. 
     
• Legal Ineligibility:
  • Have a DF1, DF2, Crime of Violence (COV), or convicted of a sex offense. 
  • Have a DF3 with a drug net weight quantity of more than 14 grams of a Schedule I or Schedule II Controlled Substance (e.g., methamphetamine, heroin, synthetic opiates, fentanyl, cocaine, or ketamine) on the case(s) being screened. 
  • Defendant has already had the opportunity to complete a criminal problem-solving court (whether successful or unsuccessful) within the last five (5) years. 
  • Defendant states no substance use issues and or not open to treatment. 
  • Has been convicted of a felony crime involving death. 
  • Charges being screened for does not include a felony conviction.

How participants get into the program:

People are referred to Recovery Court by their assigned division judge to see if they meet eligibility after entering into a plea and prior to sentencing, or upon facing revocation of probation. Talk to your attorney or probation officer if you are interested in this program. Recovery Court is a sentencing option for the District Court.