The Allegheny County Drug Court Program is specifically designed for individuals with substance abuse issues that are involved in the criminal justice system and/or have been charged with drug possession.
The goal of the Allegheny County Drug Court Program is to place individuals who are facing drug charges or have been convicted of drug charges into an intensive drug treatment program as an alternative to jail to aid in their recovery from drug addiction and help them maintain clean and sober lifestyles.
Referral & Eligibility into the Allegheny County Drug Court Program
Drug Court candidates are identified by the District Attorney’s office or may be referred by their defense attorney (to the District Attorney’s office) for consideration into the program.
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The client must be a level 3 or level 4 offender, meaning they have prior criminal records. This is often the case when an individual has multiple drug offense convictions. A high prior record score can often translate to jail time.
As an alternative to jail, the Allegheny County Drug Court offers a treatment based approach. An additional requirement for Drug Court is that the client cannot be currently charged with a crime of violence nor can they have a conviction of such crimes within the past ten (10) years. An ideal candidate for Drug Court has a history of drug related convictions and is currently facing a non-violent drug related offense.
If an individual is identified as a potential Drug Court candidate by the District Attorney’s office, the initial offer is made at or around the time of the pre-trial conference.
If a client is interested in entering the program, they must be interviewed by a Drug Court Case Manager in order to receive a Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria (“PCPC”) drug and alcohol evaluation. At such time, a Service Plan is developed for the client that identifies the level of care required and specific treatment facility recommendations.
Compliance with the treatment plan is a condition of their sentence and failure to comply could result in removal from the program and being sent to prison instead. Additionally, the client must be interviewed by the Intermediate Punishment Screeners to determine whether they are eligible for IPP (House Arrest/Home confinement).
As an alternative to jail, house arrest may be factored into the sentence following any necessary treatment.
Learn more about the treatment program at the website for the Allegheny County Drug Court Program.
*** Our goal is to avoid jail for our clients. Call Ketchel Law Today.***
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DRUG COURT OR DISCUSS ANY OTHER CRIMINAL MATTER, CALL JUSTIN KETCHEL FOR FREE CONSULTATION—412-561-1221
It is important that you do not delay in finding a drug defense lawyer in Pittsburgh—call Justin J. Ketchel today for a free consultation.