Contact
Hon. Karen Sartain
Southampton Town Justice Court
Hon. Mary Faith Westervelt
Shelter Island Town Justice Court
Hon. Eileen A. Powers
Southold Town Justice Court
Hon. Steven Tekulsky
East Hampton Town Justice Court
Bradford McGill, ADA
631-852-8800
Stefani Jocelyn, Legal Aid Society
631-317-2942
Mission Statement
The mission of the East End Regional Intervention Court (EERIC) is to assist non-violent, substance abusing defendants, who recognize their problems and voluntarily choose to enter into a contract with a court-supervised program mandating full participation in a drug treatment program, and regular appearances before the EERIC Judge. The court will monitor the participant's progress through all phases of treatment and will provide other resources and opportunities to improve quality of life. In most cases, successful completion of the program will result in the development of a clean and sober lifestyle which, in turn, will benefit both the participant and the community. In addition, successful completion of the program will result in the dismissal and/or reduction of the participant's current charges.
Program Description
The Court will operate both at the Riverhead Justice Center with Judge Allen M. Smith presiding and the Southampton Justice Center with Judge Deborah E. Kooperstein presiding.
Two years ago a screening was performed to determine the number of potential cases in the five towns located on the East End of Suffolk County: Riverhead, Southampton, Southold, Shelter Island and East Hampton. The initial screening results showed that the number of petit larceny and criminal possession 7th cases in Riverhead and Southampton were 150 and 250 respectively. Since that time, Judges Smith and Kooperstein estimate that the number of such cases has grown and that the inclusion of other types of cases in the initial target screen such as promoting prison contraband and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd degree, will increase the number of eligible cases. Based on this initial screening, it is expected that the number of participants in the first year of operation will total 60-70 (30-35 participants per courthouse). It is anticipated that this number will increase to 100 during the second year of operation.
The following types of non-violent, substance-related cases will be targeted in this program:
- Criminal Possession 7th (Penal Law 220.03)
- Petit Larceny (Penal Law 155.25)
- Promoting Prison Contraband (Penal Law 205.20)
- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd
- Prostitution (Penal Law 230.00)
Who is Eligible?
A Participant must be:
- A resident of Suffolk County.
- 16 years of age or older.
- Evaluated to have a substance abuse problem.
- Charged with a drug offense or non-violent drug driven offense or violation of probation.
- Have no significant issues which would delay and/or prevent completion of treatment.
- Have no drug sales within 10 years. Exceptions to be determined on a case by case basis.
- Exclusions: DWI, Sale/Possession/Use of firearms.
Program Rules
- Timely arrival for all court dates and appointments. Repeated lateness may result in a sanction.
- A missed court appearance may result in the issuance of a warrant.
- Drugs, weapons, urine or other contraband may not be brought on court premises. Participants will be searched upon entering the building. Possession of such items may subject the participant to arrest and prosecution.
- Participants are expected to give a supervised urine sample at court visits. Urine tampering will not be tolerated and may result in a sanction.
- Sexual, physical or verbal harassment of any kind toward other participants or court personnel is prohibited.
- Bathroom and waiting area cleanliness must be maintained.
- Respect for EERIC peers, staff, court personnel and property is required at all times.
- Cell phones must be turned off in the courtroom.
Court Sessions
All EERIC Participants Are To Remain In Court For Entire Court Session
Screening, Assessment, Case Processing & Case Management
Graduated Sanctions & Incentives
Program Phases
PHASE I: CHOICE
Completion time is a minimum of 30 days (with team consensus/without serious sanction).
- Begin program and establish 30 days abstinence.
- Arrange for health coverage/entitlements as recommended.
- Enroll in treatment program inpatient/outpatient as needed.
- Report to case management office and treatment court at least once a week unless in the inpatient treatment.
- Attend treatment court every other week during inpatient treatment.
- Comply with drug testing at least three times per week.
- Attend AA/NA meetings or other self help groups as ordered by the Court.
- Comply with any court ordered sanction.
- Complete family, education, employment evaluation.
- Have a sponsor and home group by the end of Phase I.
- Team to meet to discuss progress to next level.
PHASE II: CHALLENGE
Completion time is a minimum of 60 days (with team consensus/without serious sanction).
- Continued abstinence.
- Comply with any necessary referrals.
- Report to case manager's office every other week.
- Attend treatment court at least every other week.
- Comply with drug testing at least one time per week.
- Attend treatment program as directed and follow any treatment recommendations including but not limited to sober housing/halfway house, medical help, etc.
- Attend AA/NA/Self Help group meetings as mandated by court and get a commitment.
- Promptly comply with any court ordered sanction.
- Complete 90 days abstinence in Phase II without serious sanction.
PHASE III: CHANGE
Completion time is a minimum of 60 days (with team consensus/without serious sanction).
- Incorporate abstinence as a life choice.
- Attend treatment court at least once a month.
- Meet with case manager at least once a month.
- Continue treatment and set goals.
- Comply with drug testing as directed.
- Set and begin to pursue educational/vocational goals established by Court.
- Participate in parenting, domestic violence and/or other anger management programs as required by Court.
- Establish and begin needed goals and objectives for housing, family or life skills as required by the Court.
- Continue to attend AA/NA/Self Help meetings, working the steps with a sponsor.
- Promptly comply with any court ordered sanction.
PHASE IV: CONSTRUCT (Prepare for Graduation and Aftercare)
Completion will be a minimum of 60 days (with team consensus/without serious sanction).
- Maintain abstinence as a lifestyle.
- Complete treatment program or receive approval from program to graduate from EERIC.
- Meet with case manager and attend treatment court at least once a month.
- Submit to random drug testing.
- Complete further educational/vocational/employment goals.
- Complete parenting or any other required programs or get approval from program to graduate from EERIC.
- Accomplish goals as set for housing, family, etc.
- Continue commitment to AA/NA self help group meetings.
- Complete and submit pre-graduation questionnaire.
- Promptly complete any court ordered sanction.
Graduation Requirements
Participant must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
- Remain arrest free for six consecutive months.
- Remain clean and sober for six consecutive months.
- Participate in treatment court for a minimum of 12 months.
- Complete primary treatment.
- Remain in full compliance with treatment aftercare.
- Establish suitable residence as determined by EERIC team.
- Be gainfully employed and/or enrolled in vocational or educational training unless contra-indicated.
- Join EERIC Alumni Group.
- Adhere to TEAM recommendations.
Participant/Defendant will be given a Conditional Discharge, ACOD, or dismissal upon successful completion of EERIC.
Three months and/or six months after graduation, client will meet with the EERIC team for a follow up session and to complete a study/survey questionnaire (a reward will be given to participant at 3 month follow up meeting and also for completion of questionnaire).