A strong defense starts early.

Felony Drug Court

A treatment-focused court process for legally and clinically eligible people facing felony charges whose substance use is connected to the case. It combines treatment, testing, progress reviews and court supervision. Clarkstown’s official court resource identifies Rockland County Court as the county’s felony drug court. Counsel must confirm the current referral procedure and whether judicial diversion under CPL Article 216 or another agreement applies; not every felony qualifies.

Misdemeanor Drug Court

A supervised treatment approach for eligible misdemeanor cases involving substance-use needs. Treatment, testing and regular court appearances replace neither the need for a defense nor the obligation to follow court orders. Clarkstown’s official resource identifies Orangetown Justice Court as Rockland’s misdemeanor drug court. Your attorney should verify current availability, admission criteria and the precise disposition offered for completion.

Mental Health Alternative to Incarceration (MHATI)

Rockland’s MHATI offers individualized, structured treatment for people with misdemeanor or felony charges and serious mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance-use disorder. The court and Rockland TASC monitor progress. Eligibility depends on District Attorney approval, historical factors, a comprehensive assessment and a qualifying diagnosis. A diagnosis alone does not establish admission, dismissal or a particular sentence.

Veteran’s Alternative to Incarceration (VATI)

Rockland’s official program uses the acronym VATI. It connects eligible veterans and active service members with mental-health, substance-use and related support through the District Attorney, Rockland TASC and Veterans Justice Outreach. Participants must have an identified mental-health condition, chemical dependency and/or co-occurring disorder and be legally appropriate after review of the charges. Completion requirements depend on the case; the stated goal includes reduction or dismissal where the approved agreement provides it.

Intellectual and Developmental Alternative to Incarceration (IDDATI)

Rockland’s IDDATI is a specialized diversion program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are charged with a crime. A licensed psychologist or psychiatrist assesses eligibility using historical information. Individualized requirements and intensive case management emphasize skills, behavioral regulation and environmental support, with attention to co-occurring conditions. Completion is determined by the District Attorney, court and case-management team. Counsel should separately consider accommodations, capacity issues and available legal defenses; disability does not itself prove guilt or guarantee diversion.

Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison (DTAP)

DTAP is a prosecution-led alternative that uses rigorous, extended community-based residential treatment instead of incarceration for eligible felony cases involving substance dependency. Rockland’s District Attorney and Rockland TASC determine eligibility and sentencing agreements; treatment facilities, TASC and the court monitor compliance. The National Institute of Justice describes the original Brooklyn DTAP as the first prosecution-led residential drug-treatment diversion program for people convicted of nonviolent felony drug offenses. That historical description is not a blanket statement of current Rockland eligibility.

National Institute of Justice — DTAP history

Interim probation supervision

Under CPL §390.30(6), an eligible person convicted of a crime may, with consent and court approval, be supervised by probation before sentencing. It is not the same as a final probation sentence or pretrial release. A negotiated agreement may allow successful completion to support a reduced charge or a more favorable sentence, but the statute does not automatically reduce every charge. Counsel should confirm the promised disposition, conditions, plea consequences and what happens if supervision is not completed before you agree.