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Press Release

U.S. District Court Holds Inaugural Alternative Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia held a ceremony today for two inaugural graduates of the Alternative Treatment Court (ATC) program. The two graduates received congratulations and words of encouragement from Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston, who presided over the ceremony, United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, who presides over the ATC program, and United States Attorney Will Thompson.

The ATC program is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and various community-based treatment providers and organizations. The ATC program is a pre-plea, pre-sentence alternative to conviction or imprisonment for certain individuals charged with federal crimes. The ATC program provides a blend of treatment that focuses on drug and mental health treatment, and alternative sanctions to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and education and jobs skills training. The U.S. Probation Office performs oversight and monitoring roles that are integral to the ATC program’s success.

Thompson emphasized the value of second chances as he congratulated and encouraged the two graduates.

“I think honesty is the cornerstone of your continuing recovery,” Thompson said. “You need to be honest with your families, with your friends, your co-workers, court personnel, recovery coaches, whoever it might be. But do you know the most important person you need to be honest with? You need to be honest with yourself.”

Participants must be individuals whose criminal conduct is believed to be motivated by substance abuse issues, mental health, or other underlying causes that appear to be amenable to treatment through programs available as part of the ATC. Defendants with a history of violent offenses, involved in child exploitation offenses or subject to removal by immigration authorities are among those excluded from participating.

Eligible defendants must participate for at least 12 months, but may be required to participate for up to 24 months.

The inaugural graduates each successfully completed Track One of the program, which allows for the dismissal of charges against them. Participants in Track Two of the program receive a term of probation upon their successful completion of the ATC program.

“We are losing multiple generations in this state to drug addiction. I don’t like to give up on people. I do believe in second chances,” Thompson said. “The Alternative Treatment Court and similar programs give people who suffer from addiction or other issues a chance to learn how to control and combat their substance use disorder.”

Information about the Alternative Treatment Court, including the program’s Memorandum of Understanding, is available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia: https://www.wvsd.uscourts.gov/programs-services/alternative-treatment-court.

 A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

 

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Updated May 11, 2023

Topic
Community Outreach