Drug Court
The primary purpose of Drug Court is to reduce recidivism and the need for incarceration by offering an alternative to jail and probation through participation in assessment, education, and treatment for nonviolent, drug- addicted defendants. Normally, Drug Court will take a minimum of 12 months to complete. Eligible defendants who choose to enter the program waive their right to a speedy trial and trial by jury, stipulate to the facts in the police report from the time of their arrest and agree to complete judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and use of appropriate sanctions and other rehabilitation services.
A Drug Court Judicial Benchbook providing key guidelines that will help judges improve client outcomes and increase cost savings is available through the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI). View more Drug Court Resources.
Contact Information:
Court Coordinator: Ford Kessler
Email: fordk@safeharborrecovery.org
Phone: 360-385-3866
Fax: 360-385-7288
Court Mailing Address:
Jefferson County Superior Court
P.O. Box 1220
1820 Jefferson St
Port Townsend, WA 98368-1220
Court Information
Court Level: Superior Court
Assigned Judge: Keith Harper
Year of Inception: 2003
Capacity: 50
Enrollment: 27
Graduates since Inception: 82
Drug-free babies: Not tracked
Duration of Program (Months): 12
Adjudication Status: Pre-Adjudication
Mental Health Court
Mental Health Court diverts select defendants with mental illnesses into judicially supervised, community-based treatment. Mental Health Courts is voluntary. Defendants are invited to participate in Mental Health Court following a specialized screening and assessment, and they may choose to decline participation. For those who agree to the terms and conditions of community-based supervision, a team of court staff and mental health professionals works together to develop treatment plans and supervise participants in the community.
Contact Information:
Court Coordinator: Tracie Bick
Email: tracie@co.jefferson.wa.us
Phone: 360-385-9134
Fax: 360-385-9367
Court Mailing Address:
Jefferson County District Court
ATTN: Mental Health Court
P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368-1220
Court Information
Court Level: Superior and District Court
Assigned Judge: Jill I. Landes
Year of Inception: 2013
Enrollment: 15
Capacity: 20
Graduates since Inception: 12
Duration of Program (Months): 24
Adjudication Status: Pre- and Post-Adjudication
