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Drug Court

Drug Courts have existed across the country for more than 30 years. Drug Courts use a team approach to help those involved in the criminal justice system begin a recovery-oriented life by addressing addiction and associated mental health needs. Drug Courts exist across the country to provide needed treatment, guidance, and support. The goal of Drug Court is to have participants live a clean and sober life which results in no further involvement with the criminal justice system. Other benefits include:

  • A cost-effective alternative to long term incarceration
  • Treatment instead of prison sentences
  • A positive peer support community
  • Reconnecting with supportive family, friends and/or children
  • Positive relationships with law enforcement and courts
  • Victim restitution
  • Swift and sure incentives and accountability

The entire Drug Court team is here to help you. The team works together to create a safe and supportive environment so you can succeed in the program.

With assistance from the team, the Judge will make decisions about your participation while in the Drug Court program. The team includes:

  • Legal: Judge, Defense Attorney, Prosecutor
  • Supervision: Case Manager, Detective
  • Treatment: Treatment Providers, Clinical Case Manager, Educators

Team members may utilize and coordinate with the following:

Resources: Peer Mentors, USARA, Career Coaches (Division of Workforce Services), Sober Supportive Housing programs, Medication Assisted Therapy, Medicaid Application Assistance, and many others.

If you would like to have your case(s) considered for Salt Lake County’s Drug Court program, please complete the following application form. Once the form is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Treatment Court team.

Screening for Drug Court requires both a clinical assessment and legal approval. If the application is approved by the Treatment Court team, they will forward instructions on how to obtain the clinical approval. Please complete the form in its entirety. Omitted information may result in a delayed review.

Applicants who are incarcerated at the Salt Lake County Adult Detention Center and are approved for clinical screening will receive the screening in custody.

Applicants who are not in custody will be required to schedule and attend a clinical screening. Failure to schedule or attend the clinical screening will result in your denial from Drug Court.

Admission to Drug Court constitutes a plea bargain between a defendant and the State of Utah and as such admission is solely within the Treatment Court team’s discretion. Submitting this application does not guarantee acceptance.

If you have questions about this form or about the Drug Court program in general, you may contact:

Contact District Attorney Drug Court Program

Diversion / CPIP

Since August 2019, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services, has operated the County Prefile Intervention Program (“CPIP”), a formalized diversion program targeting low-risk offenders.

Individuals appropriate for CPIP are generally those with no criminal record or a small criminal record who are alleged to have committed a non-violent offense such as retail theft, criminal trespass, fleeing on foot, and possession of marijuana. Cases involving restitution may be accepted and restitution must be repaid within the term of the diversion.

Once accepted, CPIP participants must agree to meet consistently with their CJS case manager, complete any required classes, such as thinking errors, courage to change, etc. depending on their individual needs. Once a participant has successfully completed the program requirements, their case is reviewed for early termination. Participants who have met or exceeded expectations may be eligible to have their case closed early, otherwise, the case is reviewed again shortly before the deadline contained in the diversion agreement.

If a defendant fails to complete the terms of their diversion agreement or violates its terms, a pre-file case will be submitted to the court and prosecution will commence. In post-file cases with a formal diversion agreement, the State submits an Order to Show Cause, requesting judicial permission to resume prosecution.

If you would like to have your case(s) considered for a formal Diversion and acceptance into the County Prefile Intervention Program, please complete the following application form.

Applications will be reviewed by the CPIP / Diversion team weekly, as space permits.

A formal Diversion constitutes a plea bargain between a defendant and the State of Utah and as such admission is solely within the CPIP / Diversion team’s discretion. Submitting this application does not guarantee acceptance.

If you have questions about this form or about the Diversion program in general, you contact: