Recovery Courts

The E. Raymond Alexander Drug Treatment Court (DTC)

Overview

The E. Raymond Alexander Drug Treatment Court (DTC)  is a specialized treatment court that was developed  as an alternative to incarceration and to establish and increase recovery options for people with a substance use disorder and those close to them; to reduce recidivism in the criminal justice system; to provide an improved sanction beyond regular probation; and to improve overall quality of life to those impacted.

Program Referrals

Referrals can be made out of District and/or Superior court by any judge, probation officer, social services worker, parent/guardian, law enforcement officer, defense attorney, district attorney, treatment provider or by the participant themselves by completing a DTC referral form and submitting it to the case coordinator. Each referral made to the DTC program must be screened by the DTC case coordinator as well as the district attorney to ensure appropriateness and eligibility. To be considered for the DTC program potential candidates must be prescreened, have a minimum of 120-day sentence, admit to substance use/abuse or have a substance use disorder diagnosis, reside in Guilford County, have pending legal involvement and agree to participate in the program. The program will consider those offenders with misdemeanor offenses, other than driving while impaired, and H and I felonies as well as probation violation cases out of both superior and district court.

Guilford County Recovery Courts Eligibility Criteria (DTC)

In order to be deemed eligible referrals must:

• Be screened by Recovery Courts staff
• Reside in Guilford County; verified address
• Meet 120-day sentencing minimum
• Admit to Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder

Referrals may not be considered for participation in Recovery Courts if any of the following apply:

• Resides outside of Guilford County
• Is on Post-Release supervision
• Has pending/unresolved matters in another County
• Has ANY prior convictions related to drug dealing/trafficking offenses (possession w/ intent cases that are old/are factually not drug dealing may be staffed by the DTC team on a case by case basis)
• Is affiliated with or a validated gang member
• Has been convicted of ANY sexual offense
• Has ANY prior conviction(s) for violent offense (Class A-E are exclusionary. Class F-G may be considered/staffed for admission)

Length of Program

The program is a minimum of one (1) year and a maximum of two (2) years unless extended by the DTC team.  The participant will be on intermediate supervised probation for no less than twelve (12) months.  If the participant should complete the program phases prior to 12 months, the probation officer will monitor the participants aftercare until the balance of the 12-month probationary period is complete.  Minimum length of participation in each of the three (3) phases is ninety (90) days.

DTC Referral Form

Mental Health Court (MHC)

Overview

Mental Health Court (MHC) uses a team of court and community professionals to help ensure that those with diagnosed mental health concerns are linked to treatment providers and community resources to aid in establishing stability which has been shown to have a direct impact on reducing recidivism while increasing participants' quality of life.

Program Referrals

Referrals can be made out of District and/or Superior court by any judge, probation officer, social services worker, parent/Gguardian, law enforcement officer, defense attorney, district attorney, treatment provider or by the participant themselves by completing an MHC referral form and submitting it to the case coordinator. Each referral made to the MHC program must be screened by the MHC case coordinator as well as the district attorney to ensure appropriateness and eligibility. To be considered for the MHC program potential candidates must be prescreened, have a mental health diagnosis of SPMI/SMI (serious and persistent mental illness/serious mental illness) or significant mental health concern, reside in Guilford County, have pending legal involvement, and agree to participate in the program. The program will consider those offenders with misdemeanor offenses, other than driving while impaired, and H and I felonies as well as probation violation cases out of both Superior and District court.

Guilford County Recovery Courts Eligibility Criteria (MHC)

In order to be deemed eligible referrals MUST: 

• Be screened by Recovery Courts staff
• Reside in Guilford County; verified address
• Have a mental health diagnosis of SPMI/SMI or significant mental health concern

Referrals may not be considered for participation in Mental Health Court if any of the following apply:

• Resides outside of Guilford County
• Is on post-release supervision
• Has pending/unresolved matters in another County
• Is affiliated with or a validated gang member
• Has been convicted of any sexual offense
• Has any prior conviction(s) for violent offense (Class A-E are exclusionary. Class F-G may be considered/staffed for admission)

Length of Program

The MHC program consists of three (3) phases, with a minimum of six (6) months of participation. The minimum length of participation in each phase is two (2) months. Advancement in the program depends on behavior, compliance and progress.

MHC Referral Form

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC)

Overview

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court provides a sentencing alternative of treatment combined with supervision for Juveniles that have been diagnosed with a substance use and substance use disorders (categories of disorders are mild, moderate or severe). JDTC is a problem-solving court that takes a therapeutic and public health approach using a specialized model. The Drug Court team is comprised of a Drug Court case coordinator, designated district court judge, assistant district attorney, defense attorney, and court counselor. The Drug Court coordinator utilizes various entities such as treatment agencies, mentorship/life skills agencies, law enforcement, social services, and any other types of agencies that may benefit the juvenile and their family and that will work together to assist these juveniles into long-term recovery.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Maximum age 18 or under jurisdiction of DJJ.
2. Adjudication level of I, II, or III.
3. Pending disposition or post-adjudication.
4. Has received a substance use/abuse diagnosis or has tested positive after receiving a
5. Drug screen since being placed on DJJ supervision.

Exclusionary Criteria

1. The juvenile may not have less than 6 months remaining on a 2-year maximum period of DJJ supervision.

High Point Recovery Courts Referral 

Greensboro Recovery Courts Referral