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Alternative Criminal Case Programs

The Court has established the below programs offering alternatives to traditional sentencing and supervision in qualifying criminal cases.

H.O.P.E., A Reentry Court

The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has established a reentry court program known as H.O.P.E., (“Helping Offenders Prepare for reEntry”) for certain individuals on federal post-conviction supervision. The Rhode Island H.O.P.E. Court focuses on individuals who are statistically at a high risk to reoffend, and have drug or alcohol abuse-related conditions. The program is not designed for individuals who suffer from severe drug addiction or alcoholism. Participants must agree to participate and must be accepted into the program. The program lasts at least one year, and successful completion can result in a one-year reduction of the term of supervision with the approval of the sentencing judge.

In the H.O.P.E. Court, the presiding judge – with the aid of an Assistant Federal Public Defender and an Assistant United States Attorney – assists United States Probation with the supervision of participants by conducting regular court sessions attended by all participants in the program. At the court session, the judge reviews and responds to the achievements and failures of each participant. The conduct and activities supervised by the program are those typically handled by United States Probation Office. The program adds the regular oversight of a defendant by a judge with a blend of treatment, education and job skills training, and sanctions alternatives to address participant behavior, rehabilitation, and the safety of our communities.

Additional details on the program can be found by clicking here.

H.O.P.E. Court Welcome Information Sheet

H.O.P.E. Court Brochure

2014-2015 Annual Report

 

Deferred Sentencing Program

The Deferred Sentencing Program is a post-guilty plea program that offers a creative blend of treatment, supervision, and services in lieu of incarceration to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and the safety of the community. Participation is voluntary and must be approved by the presiding judge assigned to the defendant’s criminal case.  Participants will engage in a variety of programs to address underlying causes of their criminal conduct, and will attend regularly scheduled program sessions with the presiding judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, and probation officers.  Upon successful completion of the program the presiding judge will impose a non-custodial sentence.

General Order Adopting Deferred Sentencing Program

Deferred Sentencing Program Plan can be found by clicking here.

Notice Regarding the Court's Deferred Sentencing Program

General Order Regarding The Submission of Interim CJA Vouchers

Memorandum of Understanding – Deferred Sentencing Program - 12/15/2016