# Syracuse Community Treatment Court

Handbook for Participants

Guidelines and Program Information

John C. Dillon Public Safety Building

511 South State Street Room 117

Syracuse, New York 13202

PHONE 315-671-2795

FAX 315-671-2745

## Welcome to the Syracuse Community Treatment Court

This handbook is designed to:

-   answer questions

-   address concerns and

-   provide information about Treatment Court

ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO YOUR ATTORNEY. THIS HANDBOOK
AND ORIENTATION IS DESIGNED TO EXPLAIN THE TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM.

**What is Treatment Court?**

The Treatment Court is a special part of Syracuse City Court. It is a
court supervised treatment program for people who have been charged with
non-violent felony or misdemeanor offenses who have a drug addiction
and/or alcohol addiction.

Treatment Court is a voluntary program which includes regular court
appearances before the Treatment Court judge. If you are accepted into
the Treatment Court you will be expected to follow a treatment plan and
comply with court rules and expectations.

**What is a Treatment Plan?**

A treatment plan will begin with an evaluation conducted by the
Treatment Court staff. This plan may require all or some of the
following:

-   inpatient treatment

-   outpatient treatment

-   halfway house placement

-   regular and random drug testing

-   counseling (individual and group)

-   educational/vocation/employment program

Your case manager will also help you with other areas of your life based
on your individual needs.

This may include referrals for:

-   educational and skills testing

-   job training

-   Public Assistance/Medicaid

-   school or other educational services

-   job placement services

-   family counseling

-   domestic violence support groups

-   domestic violence educational programs

**How long will I be in treatment court?**

The program length is determined by individual progress, but will be no
less than 12 months. Felony level cases will take approximately 18
months to complete the program.

Successful completion and graduation from the program will result in
having the pending charges reduced or dismissed. In some cases, such as
Violations of Probation, the charge will not be dismissed but you will
be favorably re-sentenced.

**Program Rules and Expectations**

**To remain in Treatment Court you are required to follow very clear
rules.**

**1. Always Tell the Truth:**

Overcoming alcohol and/or drug dependence is not easy but thousands do
it every year with the help of others. The Drug Court Team/Judge will
tell you the truth and expect your honestly in return.

**2. Regular Court Supervision:**

You must participate in regular court supervision. You will be required
to appear in front of the treatment court judge on a regular basis. You
are to arrive on time for court and stay until your case is called or
you are dismissed. The Judge will be given progress reports regarding
your drug tests, attendance and participation in your treatment program.
These reports will come from your treatment provider and your case
manager. The Judge may ask you, your treatment provider and your case
manager about your progress, and discuss the problems you may be having
at the court appearance.

**3. Attend and be on time for all Drug Court Sessions and Treatment:**

As a Treatment Court participant you are required to attend all
scheduled treatment sessions and all your scheduled court dates.
Treatment sessions include counseling, educational sessions and other
sessions as directed. You will be required to be on time for all
appointments. If you are late, you will not be allowed to participate
and will be considered absent.

**4. Obey all Laws:**

You are required to refrain from any further violations of the law.
Additional charges may result in being terminated from the Treatment
Court. Do not drive a vehicle if you do not have a valid drivers
license.

**5. Become and Remain Drug and Alcohol Free:**

The goal of Treatment Court is to help you remain abstinent from alcohol
and all non prescribed drugs. You will be tested throughout the entire
Treatment Court process. A positive test will not automatically
disqualify you but may result in a sanction or a change in treatment.
Drug screens can be conducted at any time at the treatment agencies or
during court appearances or by case managers and or Probation and Parole
Officer. Missed drug tests are considered a positive (dirty) test. Poppy
seeds, mouthwash, cold medicine and other excuses will not be accepted
for positive drug test results. Attempting to "cheat" on a drug test
will result in a jail sanction. If a week goes by in treatment court and
you have not been drug tested it is your responsibility to bring it to
your case managers attention.

**6. Required Paperwork:**

Treatment providers, Service Providers, the District Attorney's office
and your attorney will each be giving information to the Treatment Court
Judge. You will be required to sign releases of information to allow
this to happen.

All Treatment Court participants are required to sign a contract in
court that states the information listed in this handbook. The contract
will also be signed by your lawyer, the District Attorney's office and
the Treatment Court judge. This contract will be kept in your file.

**7. Behave Appropriately in Court and at Treatment Sessions:**

Inappropriate physical and/or verbal behavior will not be tolerated and
may result in the termination from the program. Make NO threats toward
other participants, counselors or Drug Court team members, or behave in
a violent or aggressive manner. NO weapons are allowed at any time,
whether you are in court, at treatment or meeting with drug court staff.

Cell phones, pagers or other electronic devices are not allowed in
court, at treatment, at the Department of Probation or in the drug court
offices.

You will be required to dress appropriately for your court appearances
and treatment appointments and to practice good personal hygiene.
Clothing bearing drug or alcohol related themes or drug use is
considered inappropriate. Clothing that can be described as gang related
and/or gang colors are also considered inappropriate in court and
treatment sessions.

8\. Do not Travel outside of Onondaga County without the permission of
the Drug Court Judge.

**9. Housing**

Stable housing is necessary for your recovery. You will be expected to
discuss any changes in your living situation prior to making those
changes with your Case Manager, Probation Officer and the Treatment
Court judge.

**10. Medical Issues**

You are expected to seek medical attention when needed. You are also
expected to follow through with any medical advice. You may be asked to
provide evidence to the court of any medical conditions or appointments.
Any prescribed medications must be reported to your case manager or
Probation Officer immediately.

**11. Self Help:**

Attendance at self help meetings is a requirement of drug court. These
meetings are vitally important to your recovery and you will not be
graduated from drug court with out proof that you have a sober support
network. Ask your treatment provider for assistance.

12\. Completion of Program Phases:

You must successfully complete all four phases of the program. The
Program Phases are explained in the following pages.

### Steps to Success/Levels and Phases of Treatment

The Syracuse Community Treatment Court is a four phase program. Each
phase consists of specific treatment goals, activities and requirements
before moving to the next phase. The Treatment Court phases are
explained in detail below

Remember: While there are certain things that you must complete, your
ability to move along in the program and graduate will depend mostly on
your actions.

### PHASE 1- Orientation

Phase 1 is the beginning of Treatment Court and will last you until you
enter your recommended treatment program. During this time you will be
assigned a Case Manager or Probation Officer and he or she will work
with you to help you develop a client specific plan.

You entered Phase 1 at your first appearance before the Treatment Court
judge. During Phase 1 you will be asked to sign a contract in court that
says you understand the expectations the court. The contract also says
that when you successfully complete Treatment Court your cases will be
disposed of in a favorable way. Treatment court staff can answer any
questions you may have about how the court works.

During Phase 1 you will also:

-   receive a complete substance abuse evaluation

-   receive an educational evaluation

-   receive an orientation to Treatment Court (including a review of
    this handbook)

-   give urine samples, as requested, to be tested for drugs

-   meet with or contact you case manager as often as requested per week

-   be required to be in court weekly to discuss your progress with the
    Judge.

As you move along in this program remember that your progress depends on
you. A relapse will not mean you will automatically be discharged from
treatment court. However, there will be consequences for breaking the
rules. Any time when you are not following the program will not count
toward graduation.

Once you enter the recommended Treatment Program you will be moved into
Phase 2.

### PHASE 2 - Stabilization

This Phase is when you will enter the initial treatment Program may
include an inpatient or outpatient program. This phase can last one to
three months.

During this time you will:

-   have contact with your case manager as directed

-   appear in court as scheduled and

-   give urine screens as requested

In order to move to the next phase you must

-   adhere to your court reporting schedule

-   improve and maintain your sobriety

-   show documented positive participation in your treatment program

-   participate in a self help program

-   provide documentation that you have secured a sponsor

### PHASE 3 - Decision Making

During this phase, which will last two to four months, you will still
continue in your recommended treatment program. You will continue to
have contact with your case manager as directed, appear in court as
directed and provide urine screens as required.

As you move toward the end of his Phase you will meet with your case
manager to review and update your treatment plan and discuss the
community transition phase.

In order to move into Phase 4 you must

-   adhere to your court reporting schedule

-   demonstrate sobriety

Your ability to move the next phase will be based on your own progress
and your ability to stay focused on what you must do to meet all
Treatment Court expectations.

### PHASE 4 - Community Transition

Once you are admitted to this phase you are well on your way to
graduation. During this phase you will be completing treatment but
continuing to maintain contact with your case manager. Your case manager
will assist you in enrolling in school or job training or help your seek
a job. You will still be required to appear in court as scheduled and
have contact with your case manager as directed.

During this phase you will be asked to complete a community service
assignment. This will involve a project where you will be required to
help the community in some way.

This is the last phase of your program before graduation. In order to
graduate you must complete this phase. You must also:

-   complete treatment

-   complete a minimum of 12-18 months in Treatment Court

-   complete a community service assignment

-   participate in a job readiness program as directed by your case
    manager

-   have a job or be enrolled in school

-   completed your high school education or GED

-   participate in a pre-graduation meeting

-   complete your graduation survey

-   have a recommendation from your case manager

The final decision for graduation will be made by the judge.

You will also have your charges dismissed at this time.

### Consequences of Behavior

It is important for you to know and understand what will happen when you
do well and when you are non-compliant in drug court. This section is
designed to let you know the consequences of both your good and bad
behavior so that you know the choice is yours. The list of possible
incentives and sanctions is just a sample of what may or will happen.
The Judge, at his discretion, can add additional incentives and/or
sanctions, and may make any changes he feels is appropriate.

Incentives:

When you consistently cooperate and participate in the Drug Court, you
may expect the Judge to recognize you, at his discretion, in one or more
of the following ways.

1\. Decrease in attendance in court.

2\. Praise from the Treatment Court judge

3\. Drug Court round of applause.

4\. Allow special privileges such as traveling out of town

5\. Special incentives from the judge such as "Burger Bucks" or
calendars

6\. Graduation

7\. Dismissal of charges.

Sanctions:

When you fail to comply with the rules of the Drug Court, the Judge may,
at his discretion, order one or more of the following sanctions.

1\. Verbal warning or admonishment

2\. Increased urine testing

3\. Increased attendance in court.

4\. Moving to a higher level of care

5\. Community Service

6\. Day for A Day Warning

8\. Last Chance Warning

9\. Jail Time

10\. Termination from the Treatment Court