Ketchikan Therapeutic Court

What is the Ketchikan Therapeutic Court?

The Ketchikan Therapeutic Court (KTC) is a post-adjudication plea or pre-sentence program designed to supervise multiple misdemeanor and felony defendants who are substance-abusing adults (over 18 years of age) charged with non-violent offenses. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders who meet the eligibility standards are helped to overcome their addiction, maintain sobriety and contribute to the community in an18 month, three-phase treatment program through: intensive supervision by a Probation Officer, frequent appearances before the judge, regular attendance at recovery support groups, and random drug and alcohol testing.

The KTC is a collaborative partnership between the Alaska Court System, the Department of Law, the Public Defender’s Agency, the Department of Corrections through the Alaska State Troopers, the Ketchikan Police Department, the Department of Health and Social Services and two substance abuse treatment agencies.

The KTC has a team made up of a superior court judge, a district attorney, a defense attorney, a Probation Officer, and treatment provider(s) who work collaboratively to fulfill the goals of the program.

Who is eligible?*

An offender is eligible to participate in the KTC if he/she is:

• Charged with multiple misdemeanors, a felony DUI, or felony refusal in Ketchikan
• On probation for felony DUI or felony refusal (and has not previously participated in this therapeutic court)
• Currently charged with DUI or Refusal and has two or more DUI or Refusal convictions within the last 10 years

How does the KTC work?

An eligible defendant who considers opting into the KTC is screened by the appropriate treatment agency to determine if intensive outpatient treatment is appropriate for him/her. If he/she is found to be appropriate for the program, and he/she still wishes to participate, then the defendant will:

1. Sign a Rule 11 Agreement in which he/she enter a plea of no contest or guilty to the relevant charge(s)
2. Be scheduled for KTC on a regular basis
3. Participate in a treatment program
4. Attend recovery support groups
5. Submit to regular, random alcohol/ drug testing
6. Submit to regular visits at home and/or at work

How does a defendant get referred to the KTC?

If a defendant is interested in participating in the program, he/she should discuss this with his/her attorney, have a substance abuse assessment with recommendations and have his/her attorney contact the District Attorney's office. Should the District Attorney consider a defendant eligible based on his/her previous record and current charge(s), his/her case will be reviewed by the court team and his/her case will be set on the KTC calendar for an initial opt-in hearing. At the hearing the defendant will observe the proceedings and determine if in fact he/she wants to enter the program.

Please note: admission to the court is not automatic. It is hard work and the reward for success is the possibility of a better life, free of addiction.

Contact Information:

• If you are a defense attorney with a client considering opting into KTC, contact Ketchikan Assistant DA James Scott at 907 225-6128, or Natalie White at 907 225-8874.
• For program information contact the case coordinator / Probation Officer  at 907 225-8874, or by e mail at natalie.white@alaska.gov.

The KTC meets in the State Courthouse, courtroom 406. Judge Kevin G. Miller presides. The public is invited to attend.

If you are interested in observing court please call to confirm that court in being held on its regularly scheduled day. The number to call is 907 225-3195.

* Other eligibility requirements may exist. Obtain all requirements from the District Attorney.

Rev. 23 October 2012 © Alaska Court System www.courts.alaska.gov webmaster@courts.state.ak.us

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