1 Denver County Sobriety Court Handbook
Denver County Sobriety Court Handbook Mission: Sobriety Court provides an efficient, judicially supervised, accountable, and systemic process to address addiction, offender success and recovery. Goals of Sobriety Court: Increase community safety through efficient and effective treatment Reduce recidivism for repeat DUI offenders Provide a rapid and consistent judicial response Increase treatment and recovery; decrease drunk driving What is Sobriety Court? Sobriety Court is a special, misdemeanor, treatment court in Denver County. It was developed to reduce the recidivism of drunk driving in the city and county of Denver. This program is voluntary and eligibility for the program is based on legal screening. It consists of three phases and is approximately 19-24 months in length. Why Sobriety Court? Denver County Sobriety Court is designed for offenders who need a structured intensive program and have a willingness to receive treatment for their addiction in order to avoid a lengthy jail sentence. Participants receive a team approach in which the Sobriety Court Judge, Probation Officer, Prosecution, Defense Counsel and treatment providers work together. As a team the Sobriety Court encourages you when you are doing well and offers support when you are struggling. Basic Rules of Sobriety Court Participants will complete all phases of the Sobriety Court Program Remain alcohol and substance free throughout the program Submit to random alcohol and/or drug screening Participate in treatment as determined by your Probation Officer and treatment provider Report for all scheduled court reviews Meet with Probation Officer as scheduled Be honest with yourself and the Sobriety Court Team Treatment Upon being selected into Sobriety Court, you will be administered assessments that will determine the appropriate level of treatment and monitoring to your specific needs. Treatment and monitoring are court ordered conditions of your probation supervision, with which you must comply. Monitored Sobriety As a Sobriety Court Participant, you will be required to submit to random alcohol and drug screening. Testing may be conducted by various methods; alcohol bracelet, breathalyzers, mouth swabs, urinalysis or hair follicle. Testing is random; it is important that you do not try to guess or predict when it may occur, but rather, be honest with yourself and comply with the testing requirements. In 2
addition to your random alcohol/drug screening, you may be asked to submit an additional alcohol or drug screen, at any time, by the Sobriety Court Judge, Probation Officer or treatment provider. Sobriety Court Phases Pre-Phase one-incarceration in Denver County Jail R.I.S.E. Participate with substance abuse treatment in the R.I.S.E. unit Participate with Community re-entry services Complete Victim Impact Panel Phase one-orientation & Engagement (3-4 months) Compliance with an alcohol monitoring device for the first month Participate in random breath testing 5-7 days per week for months 2-4 Attend and participate in all treatment sessions as directed by your Probation Officer or Sobriety Court Judge Appear in Sobriety Court for review hearings as scheduled Participate in a social support group To advance to phase II* You must have completed all jail time, maintained 90 days of continuous monitored sobriety and be substance free, have completed Level II Education, remained compliant with probation supervision and submitted a signed application and phase II contract. Phase II: Sobriety, Stability and Maintenance (6-9 months) Participate in random alcohol/drug screening Attend treatment sessions and comply with treatment plan Develop Relapse Prevention Plan Attend all Sobriety Court review hearings as scheduled Begin working on Useful Public Service Set up payment plan for court ordered fines and costs To advance to Phase III* You must have maintained 120 days of continuous monitored sobriety, and be substance free, completed at least half of DUI therapy track, completed half of UPS, compliant with payment plan and submit signed application and signed Phase III contract. Phase III-Relapse Prevention, Continuance of Care and Commencement (3-6 months) Participate in random alcohol/drug screening Attend treatment sessions and comply with treatment plan Continue Relapse Prevention Plan Attend all Sobriety Court reviews as scheduled Complete Useful Public Service Compliance with payment plan Requirements for Graduation* You must have 180 days continuous monitored sobriety and be substance free, completed required DUI therapy track, completed UPS, completed VIP, paid at least half of fines and court fees, and Submit a signed application for Graduation, which includes a postgraduation sobriety plan. *The final decision for advancement from each phase and graduation is determined by the Sobriety Court Judge. 3
Graduation Once you have successfully completed the criteria for Phase III, you will be a candidate to graduate from the Sobriety Court Program. It will be necessary for you to submit an application to the treatment team to be considered for graduation. A ceremony is held in honor of the graduates. Friends and family will be invited join you at a special ceremony to celebrate that you have achieved your goal to maintain an alcohol/drug-free life. Post-Graduation Supervision Once you have graduated from the Denver County Sobriety Court Program you will be placed on court supervised probation for the remainder of your probation term. You will be required to keep in communication with your Sobriety Court Probation Officer to report any changes in residence or phone numbers. You are also required to report any new charges or contact with the police. A criminal record check will be conducted prior to your end of probation date. If you receive any new charges you may be subject to a complaint of revocation being filed. Reviews, Sanctions and Incentives The Sobriety Court relies on and emphasizes frequent judicial contact with each Sobriety Court participant. At each review hearing, the Sobriety Court Judge is provided with a written or verbal report of the participant s progress. Participants have the opportunity to respond to the Probation Officer s report and discuss with the court their accomplishments or concerns. At the review hearings the Judge may impose immediate sanctions for any noncompliance or offer Incentives for compliance and sobriety. Reviews may be increased based on the participant s compliance. Sanctions At the review hearings, the Sobriety Court Judge considers any allegations of non-compliance that are presented by the Probation Officer. The Judge then selects an appropriate sanction based on the individual s circumstances, the nature of the violation and the history of compliance. Possible sanctions that could be imposed: Reprimand or warning by the Judge Remain in the courtroom for the remainder of the docket Attendance at a Sobriety Court graduation Essays/Speeches Increased community service Increased reporting with Probation Officer Increased monitored sobriety Delay in phase change, starting phase over or regression back to a previous phase Saturday Work Program A jail sentence up to 30 days 4
Incentives Incentives are rewards that are offered by the Sobriety Court Judge. Incentives are for participants who remain in compliance with the program. The basis for each incentive is discussed with the participant. AA-Alcoholics Anonymous-303-322-4440 Website: www.daccaa.org NA-Narcotics Anonymous-303-832-3784 Website: www.nacolorado.org CA-Cocaine Anonymous-303-421-5120 Website: www.cacolorado.org Incentives can include: Praise, encouragement, clapping Gift cards, RTD passes, Sporting and Special Event tickets Early call at review hearings Recognition certificates Fish bowl drawings for prizes Decreased court appearances Decreased drug testing Participant Responsibilities Attendance Sobriety Participation Honesty Support Groups Sobriety is a journey Of broken dreams.renewed Of withered faith Revived Of self esteem Reborn. It is a road not walked alone, but in the company of many, Where tears are understood, Pain -- an avenue to freedom, And fear an accepted response. It is a way of life Where the gift encountered Is hope. by E. V. Stankowski, RN copyrighted 1995 "Petals of Gold Collection" Involvement in support groups is required as part of your participation in the Sobriety Court Program. Support groups are important part of achieving and maintaining sobriety. If you are not already involved in a support group, we encourage you to contact one of the agencies listed below. 5