Recovery Court
Adult Probation & Parole
Lehigh County Recovery Courts are non-traditional, non-adversarial, court-supervision treatment programs for individuals with substance use disorders and/or a serious mental illness. Recovery Courts include the Lehigh County Drug Treatment Court (Treatment Court) and the Lehigh County Mental Health Court (Wellness Court). The programs provide intensive treatment and supervision while addressing the ancillary needs of participants. They are grounded in a multidisciplinary team approach that promotes collaboration and individualized goal setting tailored to each participant.
The Lehigh County Recovery Court programs are voluntary. Participants who meet eligibility criteria may enter the treatment court at any point in the criminal justice process. Track I is a diversionary track; with approval from the District Attorney’s Office, participants may work toward a more favorable resolution of their charges. Track II is the standard track, in which participants are sentenced by the court. Track III is the recovery track, designed for individuals who enter the treatment court as a result of a probation or parole violation.
The program is designed to promote long-term success and sustained recovery, with the overarching goal of reducing recidivism. Participants are required to complete all phases of the program, which typically range from 12 to 18 months in duration. Upon successful graduation, participants may qualify for a reduction in sentencing or the dismissal of charges. More importantly, the program emphasizes the development of a healthy, stable lifestyle through treatment, structure, and accountability. Many participants have also received aid in the following areas:
- Job training
- Educational/vocational training
- Family counseling
- Life skills
- Anger management
- Public assistance
- License restoration
Publications and applications for the Lehigh County Recovery Courts can be found below. An application can be completed by a potential participant, member of Law Enforcement or attorney. The program is designed for non-violent offenders, and all applicants will be reviewed and accepted on a case-by-case basis.
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Recovery Court has three (3) tracks
Track I – Diversion
- The goal of Track I is to give the participant the opportunity to work toward a better resolution of the charges if he/she adheres to all conditions set forth by the Court and successfully completes their individualized program.
- The participant must enter a guilty plea approved by the District Attorney ("DA") and then defer sentencing with signed Waiver and Written Plea Colloquy.
- Upon successful completion, the participant will be afforded the opportunity to withdraw his/her plea and if originally charged with Felony offenses, enter a plea to lesser charges. If the original charges were misdemeanors, the charges will be dismissed.
- Recommend and monitor conditions of release.
- Direct referrals that include, but are not limited to, drug/alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, education classes, and job readiness training.
- The Track I program is designed to meet the needs of eligible participants who are Level I or II offenders based on their prior record score and current charges.
- Enforce conditions of release and LVPTS rules and regulations.
- The DA has sole discretion over approval into this track.
Track II – Standard
- Track II provides participants with the opportunity to participate in Recovery Court as an alternative to incarceration.
- The participant must enter a guilty plea to an appropriate offense approved by the DA and will immediately be sentenced. The length of community supervision must be for at least 18 months (not including any period of incarceration). The period of supervision can be up to 18 months or longer; as required by law. If a sentence of house arrest will be imposed, the sentence must be a sentence of Probation with Restrictive Conditions.
- Upon successful completion, the participant will be afforded the opportunity to have their supervision terminated.
- Direct referrals that include, but are not limited to, drug/alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, education classes, and job readiness training.
- Track II is intended for Level 3 or 4 offenders, based on their prior record score and current charges as set forth in Pennsylvania's Sentencing Guidelines, or those who the DA has not accepted into Track I.
TRACK III- Recovery Track
- Participants deemed eligible for admission to the Recovery Track are those individuals who are already under the supervision of the Lehigh County Adult Probation and Parole Department and have violated their supervision from a previous sentence imposed by the Court. It is designed to meet the needs of eligible participants who have been unsuccessful with probation/parole supervision and are in need of more intense and extensive treatment in lieu of incarceration.
- The participant must acknowledge a violation of his/her probation or parole. The participant will be resentenced to a minimum of 12 months community supervision (not including any period of incarceration). The length of community supervision can be up to 18 months or longer; as required by law. Upon graduation, they may earn
the termination of their supervision.
What's in it for the Participant?
- Reduction and/or dismissal of charges (Track I cases) - If you successfully complete Recovery Court, you will be eligible to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
- Probation and completion of Court supervision (Track II and III) - An alternative to incarceration and if you successfully complete Recovery Court, you will be eligible to have your Court supervision terminated.
- A Second Chance - The opportunity to move forward in your life with a new outlook and new skills.
- A Healthy Lifestyle - Through treatment, structure, and accountability you will acquire the skills to improve your quality of life through your transparency and candor, reducing stress, becoming gainfully employed, rebuilding relationships, and becoming a productive member of society while living a crime-free and substance-free lifestyle. This may include:
- Job training
- Educational/vocational training
- Job placement assistance
- Family counseling
- Life skills training
- Anger management
- Mental health services
- Public assistance/Medicaid
How long is Recovery Court?
- The program lasts on average 12 - 18 months.
- A participant's compliance with their treatment plan and ability to successfully progress through each phase of the program determines the length.
What do I need to complete/accomplish in order to complete or graduate from Recovery Court?
- Recovery Court is an extremely structured and comprehensive program that requires active participation and compliance. There will be frequent court appearances, regular and random drug and alcohol testing, participation in drug and alcohol treatment, establishing a sober support network, and attendance in any other educational and therapeutic programming.
- Graduation Requirements:
- Complete all phases of the program
- Treatment - successfully complete all treatment goals and establish an approved relapse prevention plan
- Drug and alcohol tests - negative results
- Employed or involved in productive daily activity
- Housing - reside at an approved residence that is not likely to promote relapse
- Financial obligation - compliant with all costs, fines, supervision fees, restitution, and treatment costs
- New arrests - remain arrest free for any new criminal charges that result in a conviction
Can I be terminated from the Recovery Court Program, and if so, what will happen to me?
- Although a violation of any aspect of the Recovery Court Program rules may result in the participant's termination from the Program, the program is structured to provide incentives and to reinforce positive behaviors, and sanctions to discourage negative, non-compliant behaviors.
- Sanctions will be imposed after careful consideration of a variety of factors, which include proximal/distal goals, performance thus far, the severity of the behavior, and the magnitude of the participant's response.
- The following violations, however, may result in automatic termination:
- Violent or abusive behavior;
- New charge of Driving Under Suspension;
- New criminal charges (misdemeanor or felony) that are held for court at a preliminary hearing;
- Failure to comply with directives given by the Court.
- Following Termination from the Program:
- Track I - offenders will be sentenced for the original charges.
- Track II and III - Gagnon II hearing and sentencing for a violation of probation.
How do I begin the process to get into Recovery Court?
Contact Information:
- Kayla Rodick, Treatment Court Coordinator
- Email: KaylaRodick@lehighcounty.org
- Phone: (610) 782‑3423
- Michael Zagorski, Adult Probation Supervisor for Treatment Court
- Email: Michaelzagorski@lehighcounty.org
- Phone: (610) 782‑3367
- Andi Sandt, Adult Probation Supervisor for Wellness Court
- Email: Andreasandt@lehighcounty.org
- Phone: (610) 782‑3457
