Program Goals
The Ottawa County Sobriety Court Program is a driving under the influence (DUI) court located in Ottawa County in western Michigan. The court program has three main goals: diverting people from jail, eliminating substance use, and reducing the recidivism of those that live within the court’s jurisdiction.
Target Population/Eligibility
The program targets people with their second DUI charge or criminal charges that involve substance abuse. To be eligible for the program, they must meet the following criteria:
- They must have a new charge in Ottawa County or a violation of probation for offenses that are drug or alcohol related for which there is an underlying substance abuse issue.
- They must have an alcohol and/or drug addiction or shown an obvious pattern of substance abuse.
- They must be a resident of Ottawa County. People are ineligible if they have a record of a prior serious violent offense or felony weapons violations, a serious mental illness, or charges pending in another jurisdiction.
Potential program participants may be referred by a number of agencies, including the police, defense counsel, or prosecutor’s office. Once a potential participant is identified, the Sobriety Court case manager administers an initial screening. If a person is found to be eligible for the program and shows a desire to participate, he or she enters a postplea agreement and begins treatment.
Program Components
The Sobriety Court Program has four phases. Participants must spend a minimum of 17.5 months in the program but cannot take longer than 24 months. Phase 1 lasts a minimum of 15 weeks. Participants are required to attend biweekly court sessions, as well as individual and group therapy according to their individualized treatment plan. Participants are also required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA) meetings five to seven times a week, and obtain a sponsor within the first 60 days of entering the program. Weekly drug testing and daily alcohol testing occurs in conjunction with random home visits from the police or probation officers. Participants are also required to seek and maintain employment during this phase or attend the program “Michigan Works!” for job assistance. If participants cannot find a job after 4 weeks, they must complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service per week until they are employed. In order to advance to the next phase, payments for fines, costs, and treatments must be made. Participants must also have 90 continuous days of sobriety.
During Phase 2, which also lasts a minimum of 15 weeks, participants still attend biweekly court sessions and must meet with their case managers at least twice a week. They must also attend four to seven AA/NA meetings each week and maintain a relationship with their sponsor. Drug and alcohol testing as well as home visits are random, and participants must maintain employment and keep to the payment schedule. Participants advance to Phase 3 only after having a minimum of 90 days of continuous sobriety.
Phase 3 of the program lasts a minimum of 20 weeks. Program participants attend court sessions and meetings with their case managers at least once a month. They also must attend AA/NA meetings at least three times a week, as well as family counseling, a life skills course, and an English as a second language course (or begin a General Educational Development [or GED] process). Drug and alcohol testing still occurs randomly, while employment and payments must still be maintained. Participants must maintain 90 days of continuous sobriety before progressing to the final phase.
During Phase 4, which is also a minimum of 20 weeks, participants continue to attend monthly court sessions and case managers meetings, in addition to at least three AA/NA meetings each week. Any previous trainings or counseling must be completed, and participants must attend a bimonthly “Give-and-Take” group session. Drug and alcohol testing is still administered randomly, and employment must still be maintained. Participants must also complete a narrative describing their lifestyle change during their time in the program.
The Sobriety Court Program uses a system of rewards and sanctions for compliant and noncompliant behavior. Rewards can include positive recognition from the judge, including applause and praise, reduced court fines, or a more flexible payment plan. When participants advance to a new phase of the program, they receive certificates and gift cards along with the possibility of reduced requirements. Sanctions can include increased supervision, electronic monitoring, increased substance use testing, community service, jail alternative work service, loss of driving privileges, delayed movement to the next phase or return to an old phase, extended time in the program, or a jail sentence (from 48 hours to 30 days).
Participants that successfully complete the program are released from their probation term. Probation terms are generally 24-month sentences, but participants can be released early if they complete all the phases in less time. Participants that are terminated from the program for noncompliance receive a jail sentence of up to 365 days.
Key Personnel
The Sobriety Court team includes two judges, probation officers, field supervision officers, assistant prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, the program coordinator, and the treatment providers.
