SPECIALTY COURTS

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE COURTS (“CCC”)

The Community Collaborative Courts (CCC) was created to assist clients in the criminal justice system who suffer from unique obstacles. The courts provide an avenue for treatment and serve as an alternative to incarceration. The targeted populations include: veterans, the chronically homeless, the mentally ill, those addicted to substances, traditional aged youth, and victims of human trafficking. Although these specialty courts serve for primarily clients facing felony offenses, similar programming is available for those facing misdemeanor cases.

Clients who may qualify for one of the treatment courts are screened for suitability. If the client is found suitable and an agreement is formed, the client is subject to a term of probation. The goal during the term of probation is a successful completion of treatment that is uniquely targeted at preventing recidivism. Treatment is often rigorous and can include residential treatment and or a combination of sober living with outpatient care. Cases are often dismissed pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4.

SENTENCED OFFENDER DRUG COURT (“SODC”)

SODC is an intensive program for convicted, non-violent felony offenders who are facing a prison sentence. Charges do not necessarily have to involve drugs but the client must have a history of drug abuse. Clients must be amenable and desirous of treatment. Treatment includes an in-custody and post-release treatment program.

If accepted, the client is placed on probation anywhere from 3 to 5 years and must first be placed in a county jail treatment pod for 104 days. Treatment after the 104 days includes residential program and sober living.

SECOND CHANCE WOMEN'S REENTRY COURT (“WRC”)

Second Chance Women’s Re-Entry Court (WRC) is for women who are charged with non-serious, non-violent, non-sex offender crimes or probation violations. Clients must be amenable to treatment and screened for placement. If accepted, every woman in the WRC is placed on three years of formal probation, beginning with a six-month residential treatment program, followed by a six-month outpatient treatment program. If there are no openings available when the participant begins the program, she will be housed in Los Angeles County Jail until a bed at the residential treatment facility becomes available. The program provides mental health and substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, employment resources, and family reunification services.

WRC was initially developed as a pilot program in 2007 and since, has provided services for hundreds of women with histories of substance abuse, mental health, or trauma. Reunification services have been critical to breaking generational cycles of justice system involvement since mothers are most often the primary caretakers for children.

The impact of WRC has been profound with graduates having a lower recidivism rate compared to the California state prison population. Every woman in the WRC is placed on three years of formal probation, beginning with a six-month residential treatment program, followed by a six-month outpatient treatment program. If there are no openings available when the woman begins the program, she will be housed in Los Angeles County Jail until a bed at the residential treatment facility is available. After the one year of treatment is completed, the program participant is required to report to Department 42 on a regular basis for progress hearings on employment, continued attendance in a support group (i.e. narcotics anonymous or alcoholics anonymous) and questions from Judge Tynan, who will inquire into their progress. Although intensive, the atmosphere of WRC is positive and supportive.

OFFICE OF DIVERSION AND REENTRY (“ODR”)

The Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) Housing Court program is a collaborative effort with the Office of Diversion and Reentry, the Superior Courts of Los Angeles County, and Community Based mental health and housing providers. The program seeks to provide housing to incarcerated justice involved individuals who are homeless, have a mental health and/or substance use disorder. Although a wide arrange of charges may qualify, the client must have a history of mental illness and/or substance disorder.

The program is open for both felony post-conviction matters and pretrial matters. A referral may be made by the client’s attorney, but the disposition must be agreed up on by the prosecutor and or the judge.

The ODR pretrial program attempts to resolve criminal felony cases early and divert defendants into ODR Housing with a grant of probation. The intervention consists of three components: pre-release jail in-reach services, enhanced treatment efforts (additional clinical assessments and immediate initiation of medications, as indicated), and immediate interim housing upon release from jail in anticipation of permanent supportive housing. Clients in the ODR Housing program are assigned an Intensive Case Management Services provider who works with the client as they transition from custody to community.