Alternative Courts

Adult Drug Court

The Ninth Judicial Circuit has two Adult Drug Court programs to serve our community – Charleston Adult Drug Court and Berkeley Adult Drug Court. Drug Court provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration of offenders with substance use and/or alcohol use disorders. Crime will be reduced and offenders rehabilitated through intensive court supervision and treatment.

Drug Court is available for individuals with pending criminal charges and/or probation violations. Entry into the program requires a guilty plea to charges and/or probation violations with a negotiated sentence and deferral upon successful completion of the program. The program lasts a minimum of 15 months. Upon successful completion of Drug Court, the charges will be dismissed or the probation supervision ended.

Drug Court is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team that includes a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment, testing, coordinator, probation, law enforcement and vocational rehabilitation. Both Drug Court programs in the Ninth Judicial Circuit are operated by team members who are part of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). The program follows the national Drug Court model and incorporates the ten key components and best practices. Participants are required to attend court appearances, pay court fees, attend self-help meetings, submit to random drug testing, attend all treatment sessions, pay restitution to victims, and have full-time employment.

The goal of Drug Court is to lead people living with substance use disorders out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability. By doing so, Drug Court reduces recidivism and enhances public safety.

Juvenile Drug Court

The Charleston Juvenile Drug Court is a comprehensive and intensive treatment program designed to help juveniles struggling with substance abuse. It aims to assist juveniles' returns to a drug-free lifestyle while building life skills, continuing their education, and strengthening their family's ability to provide structure.

The JDC team is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team that includes the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, Department of Juvenile Justice, school representative, testing, and treatment. The program lasts a minimum of six months. An individualized treatment plan is developed by the team to best help the juvenile's growth. The program provides comprehensive supervision, drug testing, and treatment services. If the individual is successful, then the charges are dismissed. If the individual is not successful, then the charges are returned to the prosecutor for traditional proceedings.

The goal of Juvenile Drug Court is to help juveniles who have substance abuse and behavioral issues choose to address those head on and, with the help of the JDC team, return to a substance-free, law-abiding way of life.

Mental Health Court

The Ninth Judicial Circuit has two Mental Health Courts programs to serve our community – Charleston Mental Health Court and Berkeley Mental Health Court. Mental Health Court provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration of non-violent offenders with mental health illnesses. Crime will be reduced and offenders rehabilitated through intensive court supervision and mental health treatment.

Mental Health Court is available for individuals with pending criminal charges and/or probation violations that reside in Berkeley or Charleston counties. Mental Health Court follows all provisions of Mary Lynn's Law. There are two tracks of Mental Health Court - Magistrate track and General Sessions track. Entry into the program for the Magistrate track requires a transfer of jurisdiction of the case to Mental Health Court. Entry into the program for the General Sessions track requires a guilty plea to charges and/or probation violations with a deferral upon successful completion of the program. Successful completion of the Magistrate track results in the dismissal of charges. Successful completion of the General Sessions track results in completion of supervision from the court and remains a conviction.

Mental Health Court is comprised of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team that includes a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment, testing, coordinator, probation, and law enforcement. Participants are required to attend court appearances, submit to random drug testing, attend all treatment sessions, pay restitution to victims, and have full-time employment.

The goal of Mental Health Court is to rehabilitate and restore mental health to individuals who, but for their disability, might be leading safe, productive lives. By doing so, Mental Health Court reduces recidivism and enhances public safety.

Veterans Treatment Court

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court seeks to honor veterans by providing an alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration of justice-involved veterans with substance use disorders and/or mental health diagnoses. The goal is to reduce crime and rehabilitate veterans through court supervision. The program is designed to promote self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.

Veterans Treatment Court is a blend of traditional Drug Court and Mental Health Court with the emphasis on assisting justice-involved Veterans. A multidisciplinary team guides the Court including a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment, testing, coordinator, and veteran mentor.

Veterans Treatment Court is available for individuals eligible for all VA services in both Magistrate and General Sessions tracks. The Magistrate track requires a guilty plea to charges and a deferral upon successful completion of the program. The program lasts a minimum of six months. The General Sessions Track requires a guilty plea to charges with a negotiated sentence and deferral upon successful completion of the program. The program lasts a minimum of 15 months. Upon successful completion of Veterans Treatment Court, the charges will be dismissed. The Ninth Circuit Veterans Treatment Court accepts transfers from around the state to enter and participate in the program.

Participants are required to attend court appearances, meet with a veteran mentor regularly, attend self-help meetings, submit to random drug testing, and attend all treatment sessions. Participants are connected with services such as mental health treatment and therapy, health care, employment/job training and housing assistance.

The goal is to improve outcomes for this population by intensive court supervision and connecting them to needed services through the Veterans Administration. Veterans Treatment Court enhances public safety by returning law-abiding and productive citizens to the community.

The Charleston County Veterans Treatment Court relies on cooperation and collaboration among the criminal justice system, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran’s service organizations, and community treatment agencies to provide comprehensive treatment for veterans. In addition to these entities, the Court also relies on Veteran Mentors. Veteran Mentors are veterans or qualified active duty personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces who volunteer their time to assist the Court.

Mentor duties and responsibilities include meeting with your Veteran Treatment Court participant once a week for at least one hour, including participation at court. To be eligible, the mentor must be in good standing with the law and agree to adhere to all of the Charleston County Veterans Treatment Court program’s policies and procedures and its mentoring program. All mentors must commit to participation for a minimum of (1) year or until Charleston County Veterans Treatment Court participant graduates. Mentors must complete the required Mentor Orientation Program and any training as specified by the court prior to participation in the Charleston County Veterans Treatment Court.

Questions about Veterans Treatment Court?
hsellers@charlestoncounty.org