17th Judicial District Treatment Court

Mission Statement

The mission of the 17th Judicial District Drug Treatment Court is to reduce recidivism by facilitating treatment and rehabilitation and to provide increased supervision to criminal substance abusers, as opposed to simply warehousing them. The goal is to return clean and sober individuals to the community with an improved quality of life who are better equipped to maintain their sobriety, thereby having a positive impact on and improving the community as a whole.

Where change begins…

Program History and Description

Planning for the 17th Judicial District Treatment Court began in July 2007, and was started under of the supervision of President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. The Drug Court tract enrolled its first participants on July 2, 2008 and held its first graduation on May 19, 2010. The DUI Court tract enrolled its first participants on January 13th, 2010 and had its first graduation on March 30th, 2011.

In September 2012, the 17th District Treatment Court received its state accreditation, being on the 4th county in the Commonwealth to achieve such recognition.

The Treatment Court is a highly structured program that combines drug/alcohol treatment and support services through court supervision. Non-violent offenders who use illicit substances and/or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol can receive the help they need to overcome their addictions while under the strict supervision of the Treatment Court Judge. The Treatment Court is unique because it represents a much closer working union between treatment and the criminal justice system than what is traditionally seen in the criminal courts. All participants are required to appear regularly for status hearings in front of the Treatment Court Judge. At that time they will be rewarded or sanctioned dependent upon their progress in the program.

The end result is a greater likelihood that offenders will remain drug/alcohol free while avoiding further contacts with the criminal justice system and will become productive members of society.