Drug Court

Office of the District AttorneyThe Bucks County Court of Common Pleas has instituted a voluntary Drug Court Program utilizing the 10 Key Components of Drug Courts, based on proven national research and program models. The Bucks County Drug Court is an adult drug court assisting high risk/high need, non-violent offenders with successful rehabilitation from the use of drugs and/or alcohol.

The Bucks County Drug Court serves two populations: 1.) probation/parole violators, and 2.) post-plea, pre-sentence offenders. For participants who are probation/parole violators, successful completion of Drug Court may result in the reduction or termination of any remaining supervision.

For participants in the pretrial program, after entering a plea of guilty, sentencing will be deferred pending completion of the Drug Court Program. Upon successful completion of the Drug Court, including the payment of fines, costs, and restitution, the participant's charges may be reduced, and the participant may be sentenced to non-reporting or administrative probation.

Requirements

The Bucks County Drug Court Program requires a minimum of 1 year to complete and is comprised of 4 phases with each phase lasting a minimum of 90 days. Additionally, to successfully complete the program participants must obtain a high school diploma or GED, maintain full-time employment or other approved use of time, maintain adequate housing, successfully complete treatment, establish an aftercare plan, remain drug-free, alcohol-free and arrest-free for 6 months prior to graduation, and pay court costs, fines, and restitution in full.

Participants will be sanctioned if they violate the Drug Court rules or fail to achieve certain phase requirements. Typical violations that may be sanctioned include: missed appointments, failed or adulterated drug tests, new arrests/charges, dishonesty, and lack of participation in treatment. Sanctions will be imposed relative to the violation, and will be based upon the proximal and distal nature of the behavior. Sanctions may include: essays, loss of incentives, demotion in phases, fines, curfew restrictions, incarceration, and termination from the Drug Court Program. The Drug Court Team reserves the right to impose these and/or other sanctions appropriate to each particular participant and violation.

In turn, if the participant maintains purposeful and positive participation in the Bucks County Drug Court Program, the participant may receive appropriate incentives as well. These incentives will be determined by the Drug Court Team and specific rewards will depend on available resources.

Applying

If you are interested in applying for Drug Court, access "Application for Drug Court (PDF)" and fill in your information.

You will also need to include a current drug and alcohol assessment with your application. To obtain a Drug and Alcohol Assessment:

  1. If you have private insurance, you must call your insurance company and ask where you can go for a Drug and Alcohol Assessment.
  2. If you do not have insurance or have Medical Assistance, you must obtain an Assessment at one of the county assessment sites listed below.
    1. Gaudenzia Inc.in Lower Bucks: 267-405-6530
    2. SOAR in Warminster: 215-444-0808
    3. Penn Foundation Recovery Center in Sellersville: 215-257-9999

If you are currently in treatment, a letter must be submitted with your application confirming that you are participating in treatment and indicating your level of care.

The completed application can then be emailed to Warren R. Grant or faxed to 215-348-6503.