Specialty Courts

The Washington County Circuit Court oversees and supports these and other programs.

Mental Health Court is a criminal court program designed for individuals who would struggle to fulfill probation obligations because of a mental health condition. The program consists of three phases, lasts a minimum of one year, and the conditions of probation are tailored to the individual needs of each participant. Upon successful completion of all of the conditions required of him or her, the participant will graduate from the program, and the participant’s probation may be terminated as successful.

Judge Rebecca Guptill administers the Mental Health Court program with representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, the Washington County Probation Department, representatives from the Public Defender’s Office, and representatives from the Washington County treatment community and treatment programs.

The Washington County Adult Recovery Court (ARC) is a criminal court program designed for individuals who would struggle to fulfill probation obligations because of drug addiction. Judge Janelle Wipper administers the Adult Recovery Court program with representatives from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the Washington County Probation Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, representatives from the Public Defender’s Office, and representatives from the Washington County treatment community and treatment programs.

Washington County Adult Recovery Court Mission Statement
The mission of the Washington County Adult Recovery Court is to change people’s lives, break the cycle of addiction, reunite families and promote community safety.

The Washington County Domestic Violence Deferred Sentencing program is a criminal court program designed for individuals who have been charged with a domestic violence offense. Judge Ricardo J Menchaca administers the Deferred Sentencing Program with representatives from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the Washington County Probation Department, and Ridehalgh & Associates law firm.

In order to enter into the program, the participant must plead guilty to one or more of the charges that have been filed against the participant. The participant will sign a Conditional Release Agreement and Deferred Sentencing Agreement placing the participant in the program. As part of the program, the Court will order a series of conditions and release the participant pending completion of the Court-ordered conditions for a period of eighteen (18) months. If the participant completes all of the conditions ordered by the Court in the eighteen (18) month period, then the court will dismiss the participant’s charges.

The Washington County DUII Diversion program is a criminal court program designed for individuals who have been charged with a first time DUII charge. The program lasts a minimum of one year, and there are a number of special conditions of diversion required of each participant. Upon successful completion of all of the conditions required of him or her, the participant will automatically graduate from the program, and the DUII charge will be dismissed.

The mission of the Washington County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program is to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism by offering eligible justice-involved veterans a sentencing alternative through a comprehensive, judicially-supervised treatment program to address underlying substance use and/or mental health disorders. Our goal is to return healthy, law-abiding veterans to the community using best practices and evidence-based approaches.

Visit https://www.washingtoncountyda.org/vtc for more information about the VTC Program, including program eligibility criteria, program structure, and the referral process.