Therapeutic Courts & Alternative to Incarceration

Felony Drug Court


The Pierce County Felony Drug Court Program is the second largest drug court in Washington State and began operations in October of 1994. Eligible defendants who choose to enter the program waive their right to a speedy trial and trial by jury, stipulate to the facts in the police report from the time of their arrest and agree to complete a rigorous program of treatment and court monitoring for approximately one year.

The primary goal of the Pierce County Felony Drug Court is to reduce recidivism and the need for incarceration by offering an alternative to jail and probation through participation in assessment, education and treatment for nonviolent, drug- addicted defendants that will take a minimum of 12 months. Pierce County Drug Court has successfully graduated over 1400 participants who have gone on to live healthy and crime free lives.
 
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Veterans Drug Court


The Veterans Drug Court Track is designed to help Veterans who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. This program is supported by case managers and treatment providers through Pierce County Superior Court, Pierce County Alliance, and the Pierce County Veterans Bureau.

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Felony Mental Health Court


Felony Mental Health Court (FMHC) is a partnership between Prosecutor, Superior Court, Department of Assigned Counsel, and Treatment to optimize Recovery through Accountability. Upon graduation a participant’s associated felony case would be dismissed.

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Juvenile Court Diversion Unit


The Diversion Unit screens youth by seriousness of offense, age, and prior history, and then schedules youth an appropriate group seminar/class (group advisement), Community Accountability Board (CAB) or individual appointment. 

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Friendship Diversion


The Friendship Diversion Program is a partnership that provides a supervised alternative for the criminal justice system wherein the victim is restored, the community benefits from work provided by the defendant at governmental agencies as well as through the reduction in costs in  disposing of the crime and, finally, the defendant, on successful completion, will not have a criminal conviction and has accepted responsibility for their behavior.

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