Albany County Treatment Court is a Unified Court System Problem Solving Court and Diversionary Program where eligible clients are diverted into a comprehensive Drug Treatment Program with complete Court Oversight. The concept considers that some crimes are motivated by substance use disorder. It endeavors to address this through a dynamic, resource rich approach that is tailored to each participant.

This program requires that an eligible defendant enter a Felony Plea and execute a diversionary contract where they agree to 26 enumerated terms and conditions that describe the obligations and responsibilities of the participant.

Generally, this program is offered to defendants as an alternative to incarceration. In some cases, after successful completion of the program, the defendant is allowed to withdraw their felony plea and receive a misdemeanor at the time of sentencing. This does not happen in every case and each case is treated as a unique set of circumstances.

Treatment Court utilizes a diverse array of specialists in the field of substance use disorder as well as the treatment facilities in and around the Capital Region to determine how to best assist each individual participant in their struggles with substance use disorder. This includes the Treatment Court Team which is comprised of representatives from the District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, Albany County Department of Health, Court Staff, Peer Advocates and Case Managers.

Statistics indicate that successful completion of Treatment Court significantly increases the likelihood of long term success in fighting substance use disorder.

Assigned Public Defender: Seamus P. Donnelly, Esq.

Learn more on the NYS Office of Court Administration's Treatment Courts website: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/problem_solving/drugcourts/index.shtml

U-CAN is a court-based mentoring program in which the Public Defender's Office works in tandem with the judge, prosecutor and probation officer to provide a mentor to younger individuals in need of a positive and supportive role model.

The goal is not to merely "divert" people from jail or prison, but to provide them with the tools they need to become productive members of our community. 

U-CAN is a "tough love" program where compassion is offered and accountability is demanded.

A high percentage of participants, with the support of their public defender attorney, successfully complete the program, avoiding incarceration and, often, the stigma of a felony record.

This program is a court-supervised special part of Albany City Court for those who have been charged with misdemeanor level offenses and have a drug or alcohol addiction.

Albany City Court regional Drug Court is a voluntary program and has a minimum of a one-year commitment.

Participants are expected to engage in the recommended level of treatment, remain abstinent from all drugs and alcohol and live a law-abiding lifestyle.

This program is a collaborative program comprised of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, drug court coordinator, probation and a representative from the Albany County substance and alcohol abuse clinic.

Each week on Wednesday, updates are received from the participant's treatment counselor for review and discussion. Once reviewed, the judge will see the participant in court and go over the update with them to ensure compliance and assistance in any related matters.

If a participant is successful, there is usually a legal benefit, as well as a lifestyle benefit, stability and connection to services.

This program is a court-supervised special part of Albany City Court for those who have been charged with a criminal offense and suffer from a serious mental illness.

To qualify for Alternative Treatment Court, a participant must carry a diagnoses of any of the following:

• Major depressive disorder;
• PTSD;
• Schizophrenia;
• Schizoaffective disorder; or
• Bipolar disorder.

This program is a collaborative program comprising the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment court coordinator, probation and representatives from Albany County Department of Mental Health.

ATC is a voluntary program and has a minimum of a one-year commitment. Participants are expected to engage in the recommended mental health treatment plan, which may also include substance abuse counseling if deemed necessary. Participants are required to serve a period of interim-probation while in ATC, remain drug and alcohol free, take all prescribed medications (if any) and live a law-abiding lifestyle.

Each week on Tuesday, updates are received from the participant's treatment counselor for review and discussion. Once reviewed, the judge will see the participant in court and go over the update with them to ensure compliance and assistance in any related matters.

If a participant is successful in Alternative Treatment Court, there is usually a legal benefit, as well as a lifestyle benefit, stability and connection to services.

This program is a court-supervised special part of Albany City Court for those who have been charged with misdemeanor level offenses and are Veterans of any US military branch.

Albany City Court Vet Trak is a voluntary program aimed at assisting Veterans with substance abuse and/or mental illness needs.

This is a collaborative program comprised of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, treatment court coordinator and a Veterans Affairs mentor representative. Participants are expected to engage in any recommended treatment,  take all prescribed medications (if any), and live a law-abiding lifestyle.

Each week on Tuesday, updates are received relating to the participant’s progress in treatment or other related matters. Once reviewed, the judge will see the participant in court and go over the update with them to ensure compliance and assistance in other needed areas.

If successful in Vet Trak, there is usually a legal benefit, as well as a lifestyle benefit, stability and connection to services.