What is Luzerne County DUI Treatment Court?
Summary: The Luzerne County DUI Treatment Court provides participants with a unique opportunity to change their lives, offering a path to freedom from drugs and/or alcohol and a future filled with hope and promise. This program is a post-plea/post-conviction special court initiative designed for nonviolent repeat DUI offenders. It employs a team-based approach to address the specific treatment needs of participants while ensuring accountability for their actions. Instead of incarceration, participants serve their sentences under home confinement with electronic monitoring. The program lasts a minimum of 18 months, though the duration depends on the participant's progress and compliance with treatment goals.
Who is Eligible?
Participants may qualify if they face:
Second offense, third-tier DUI
Third offense, second-tier DUI
Third offense, third-tier DUI (all within 10 years).
Eligibility also requires completion of a Court Reporting Network (CRN) prescreening assessment during the referral process.
Who is Not Eligible?
Individuals are ineligible if they:
Have unresolved out-of-state or out-of-county charges.
Are charged with crimes involving unapproved damage or injury to victims.
Face charges for sex offenses or crimes committed with a firearm.
Have cases deemed ineligible by the District Attorney’s Office.
Program Details
Participants move through multiple phases as they progress in the program. Upon acceptance, a drug and alcohol case management specialist evaluates each participant and ensures they are enrolled in the appropriate level of treatment.
How Do Participants Complete the Program?
Participants must:
Fully comply with and complete all recommended treatment programs.
Pay all DUI Treatment Court fees in full.
The program requires a minimum of 18 months from acceptance to graduation.
Results
Rather than incarceration, participants who complete the DUI Treatment Court program serve their sentences under house arrest with electronic monitoring. By adhering to the program requirements, individuals gain the tools to build a healthier, more promising future.