Adult Recovery Court

Recovery Court is a program that involves residential and outpatient services for defendants charged with non-violent drug possession crimes, drug-related violations of probation, and certain other drug-related and property crimes. Participants are monitored and tested by the Sacramento County Probation Department for drug and alcohol use, and they may also be screened for mental health treatment referrals.

Treatment and services provided in the Recovery Court program may include:

• Detoxification
• Substance misuse treatment
• Mental health treatment
• Relapse prevention
• Drug testing
• Assistance with housing
• Therapeutic (yoga, nutrition, mind-body) services

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) / Laura's Law

Assisted Outpatient Treatment, also known as Laura's Law, provides court-ordered community treatment for individuals with a history of repeated hospitalization or incarceration, or a history of violent behavior to self or others. AOT permits California Counties to utilize courts, probation, and mental health systems to address the needs of individuals unable to participate in community mental health treatment programs without supervision.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Ongoing mental health treatment
• Substance misuse treatment
• Supportive services
• Assistance with housing

Additional information regarding AOT can be found on the State of California Department of Healthcare Services website: Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court

The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act allows certain adults—such as family members, housemates, first responders, or behavioral health workers—to file a civil court petition for a CARE voluntary agreement or court-ordered plan to help individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The CARE Act aims to provide early intervention for severely impaired individuals, often at risk of homelessness or incarceration.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Ongoing mental health treatment
• Substance misuse treatment
• Supportive services
• Assistance with housing

The Court's Self-Help Services may also be able to assist, and more information can be found on the CARE Court information page.

Driving Under the Influence Treatment Court (DUITC)

DUITC focuses on Individuals charged with driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol who have three prior DUI misdemeanor convictions within a 10-year period. Participants in this court serve a mandatory in-custody period and are supervised by the Sacramento County Probation Department and receive substance use treatment services.

Some of the services and treatment provided in this program may include:

• Detoxification
• Substance misuse treatment
• Relapse prevention
• Regular drug and alcohol testing
• Peer support groups

Drug Diversion - Penal Code section 1000

Penal Code Section 1000

Drug Diversion may be offered to defendants charged with a first-time drug offense and simple possession. Participants are monitored and tested by the Sacramento County Probation Department for drug use and receive services from other providers.

This program includes:

• 40 hours of drug education and group courses
• Monthly meetings
• Support group work
• Drug testing for 6 months

Mental Health Diversion (MHD) - Penal Code section 1001.36

Penal Code section 1001.36

Individuals charged with a misdemeanor or felony, who suffer from a mental disorder whose symptoms can be abated with treatment, may qualify for Mental Health Diversion if the mental disorder played a significant part in the commission of the charged offense.

Participants must agree to and comply with their individualized treatment plan and are closely monitored by the court. Participants will receive mental health services and treatment by private or county agencies and may be monitored and/or tested for drug and alcohol use by the Sacramento County Probation Department.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Ongoing mental health treatment
• Substance misuse treatment
• Supportive services
• Assistance with housing

Military Diversion Program (MDP) - Penal Code Section 1001.80

Penal Code Section 1001.80

Military Diversion Program applies to defendants charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses, who were or are currently a member of the United States military, and who may be suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury [TBI], post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result of their military service. For individuals charged with a felony, a finding must be made that their condition was a significant factor in the commission of the charged offense. If a defendant meets the criteria, the Court may grant participation in this program. Services may be provided by Veterans Affairs, Sacramento County Probation, and other providers.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Mental Health services
• Peer Support
• Substance misuse treatment
• Veterans' supportive services
• Counseling

Mental Health Treatment Court (MHTC)

Mental Health Treatment Court is a post-plea program offered to defendants diagnosed with specified and qualifying mental health disorders or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. The District Attorney's Office reviews referrals and approves acceptance into the program. Participants must agree to and comply with their individualized treatment plan and are closely monitored by the court. Participants will receive mental health services and treatment, and may be monitored and/or tested for drug and alcohol use by the Sacramento County Probation Department.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Mental Health services
• Substance misuse treatment and testing
• Counseling
• Supportive services
• Assistance with housing
• Housing assistance
• Employment training
• Education classes and referrals
• Transportation assistance

Reducing Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (ReSET) Court

The Reducing Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (ReSET) Court was implemented in 2015 in collaboration with the Court, District Attorney's Office, Office of the Public Defender, law enforcement, and community providers. This program focuses on individuals charged with prostitution or a prostitution-related offense. Defendants with additional misdemeanor offenses may be eligible and are determined on a case-by-case basis. All defendants are initially referred to the community-based provider: Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH). If a defendant is not eligible for CASH services, a different provider may be used. Participants must agree to and comply with their individualized treatment plan and are closely monitored by the court.

Program treatment and services may include:

• Health and wellness education
• Counseling
• Health-based services and referrals
• Housing assistance
• Life skills and Peer mentoring services
• Transportation Assistance
• Mental Health services
• Substance misuse treatment

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Alta Diversion

Alta Diversion is a specialized calendar for defendants who are developmentally disabled pursuant to WI 4512(a) and are eligible for diversion pursuant to Penal Code Section 1001.21.This diversion program and treatment will include the Alta California Regional Center and may also involve the Sacramento County Probation Department. For more information, review Penal Code section 1001.20.

Certificates of Rehabilitation and Pardon

A specialized calendar for Petitions for a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon. These petitions are filed regarding a felony conviction anywhere in the state of California, and may be filed any time after conviction within the parameters set forth in Penal Code sections 4852.01 through 4852.22.

A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order finding that a person who has been convicted of a felony is rehabilitated. If a petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation is granted, it is forwarded to the Governor by the granting court and constitutes an Application for a Pardon. Information on how to apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon can be found on the California Courts Self-Help Guide and California Board of Parole Hearings websites.

Any questions regarding local filing for Certificates of Rehabilitation should be referred to the Public Defender's Office.

Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ)

A specialized calendar is held for defendants participating in the cases Deferred Entry of Judgment Program administered by Pacific Education Services (PES). There are two program levels, and each program requires a paid fee. This program is educational and requires completion of materials and watching videos. If victim restitution is owed, PES will manage collection and distribution as part of the program.

Domestic Violence Court

The Sacramento Court has a dedicated courtroom focused on domestic violence cases. Defendants charged with domestic violence or related offenses will automatically be scheduled for pretrial hearings in this court. This court also handles post-conviction domestic violence Batterer's Treatment compliance and other related matters.

Expungements

Specialized calendars for expungement petitions are held frequently. There are multiple types of expungements, and details can be found in Penal Code sections 1203.4 through 1203.425. Expungements that are granted will remove offenses from a defendant's criminal record within the specifications in the applicable Penal Code section. For more information or to receive assistance, contact the Public Defender. The Court's Self-Help Services may also be able to assist.

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Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) Expungements

To help combat issues affecting unhoused defendants who have successfully completed probation, the Court, with participation from the Office of the Public Defender and the District Attorney's Office, developed a specialized calendar to expedite expungement relief for eligible people. By expediting the processes in each agency, the HEAP calendar assists unhoused individuals in getting connected with available services, which may include housing. For more information or to receive assistance, contact the Public Defender.

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Loaves and Fishes Court

The Loaves and Fishes Court is a specialized calendar for unhoused defendants with low-level traffic and a few misdemeanor offenses who cannot afford to pay court fines and fees. Defendants participating in this court perform services at the Loaves and Fishes Homeless service provider to work off their fines or fees. Completion in this community service does not result in the dismissal of the case, and there may be other sentence requirements to fulfill before the case is closed.

Penal Code section 1368 Misdemeanor Calendar

This calendar is dedicated to cases where a doubt of incompetence is expressed pursuant to Penal Code section 1368 in a misdemeanor case. When a defendant is found incompetent in a misdemeanor case, treatment options and participation in programs such as mental health diversion, CARE Court, assisted outpatient treatment, or conservatorship will be determined on this calendar.

Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) & Parole Revocations

Assembly Bill 109 was passed in 2011. It realigned several aspects of the criminal justice system, including the supervision of defendants after a conviction. This bill created Post-Release Community Service, which added a new type of offender supervision to county Probation Departments. To streamline the processes related to parole and PRCS violations, a separate court calendar was created. Petitions for violations can be based on new criminal conduct or technical violations such as not checking in with the assigned Parole or Probation Officer.

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Senate Bill 384

Senate Bill 384 went into effect on January 1, 2021, and transitioned California's lifetime sex offender system to a tier-based system. Penal Code section 290.5 was amended pursuant to this bill and contains detailed information regarding the petition process to modify Penal Code section 290 registration requirements. In order to effectively process these petitions, the Sacramento Court created a specialized calendar.

State Hospital Calendar

A person committed to a California Department of State Hospitals facility for treatment or to the California Department of Corrections for imprisonment may be on the specialized State Hospital Calendar. This calendar focuses on non-evidentiary proceedings related to commitment extension petitions and outpatient status petitions. Pretrial proceedings: Hearings on this calendar are conducted via video conference, and defendants' appearances are coordinated with the treating hospitals.

State Prison Calendar

The State Prison Calendar is a pretrial calendar for defendants who are currently serving a prison commitment and who are alleged to have committed another crime while incarcerated in Folsom or CSP-Sacramento Prison facilities. The Calendar is heard primarily via video conference, and the defendants appear from the current California Department of Corrections facility where they are housed.