Starting today, Oct. 18, 2021, the District Court Diversion Program (DCDP) will expand its pilot DCDP Probation Program from 5 district courts to all 18 of them county-wide, allowing for the inclusion of additional participants who need drug treatment, but who are currently ineligible for the DCDP Program due to their prior records and their drug of choice.

Individuals in the expanded DCDP Probation Program will be sentenced to six (6) months of probation.  As part of their probation, each participant must abide by the rules of the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department; and shall schedule a drug and alcohol assessment within three (3) business days and abide by all treatment recommendations of the assessment.

The DCDP Probation Program expedites drug and alcohol treatment and ensures accountability by placing the individual needing treatment on probation sooner.

Earlier this year, District Attorney Matt Weintraub penned an open letter to President Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr., detailing the importance of diversionary programs, such as a mental health court, to address the unique situations of defendants.

“The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to the mission of seeking individualized justice for each citizen that comes into contact with the criminal justice system,” Weintraub said.

The DCDP Program was created in 2018 and designed to provide intervention services to an individual shortly after they are arraigned before a Magisterial District Judge on misdemeanor substance use-related offenses, such as Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“The goal of the DCDP Program is to connect the individual to an assessment and coordinate an intervention or treatment that will help identify and address his or her needs.  This program has proven successful as a cheaper, quicker, and closer treatment-based alternative for people needing it right away, rather than making them go through the traditional, lengthy court process as their only option in the past. It undoubtedly has saved lives, and we are excited to offer it county-wide.”

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