Treatment Courts

Who may participate:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be a resident Buncombe County
• Have an alleged substance use or alcohol abuse problem
• Willing to participate in the program
• Be involved in a criminal matter in Buncombe County Superior Court
• Be able to understand and willing to comply with the program requirements
• Complete an intake
• Be approved by the DTC Operation Team

Referral Process:

Eligible individuals will consult with their attorneys to request a referral. Attorneys will consult with the DTC District Attorney to have their clients screened by the DTC Coordinator.

Documents:

Adult Drug Treatment Court Team:

Table: Adult Drug Treatment Court Team Members

Name	Title	Agency
Honorable Judge Alan Thornburg	Presiding Judge	Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Melissa Whitson	Probation	North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Scott Dennis	Attorney	Public Defender's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
LT. Brandon Moore	Law Enforcement	Asheville Police Department
Crystal Booth	Probation	North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Jessica Shepherd	Community Relations Representative	October Road, Inc.
Kerri Thomason	Adult Diversion Coordinator	Buncombe County
Dr. Jamie Vaske	Researcher	Western Carolina University
Joshua Harrold	Assistant District Attorney	District Attorney's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Blaine Fish	Coordinator	Buncombe County Justice Services
Kara Meader	Treatment Liaison	Vaya Health
Madeline Watson	Treatment Court Clinician	Buncombe County Justice Services
Vacant

Mission/Vision/Purpose

The primary mission of Buncombe County ASPIRE Court is to increase public safety and save lives by reducing recidivism of persons with alcohol and drug use disorders. ASPIRE Court strives to make our streets safer; to create an effective and responsible partnership with community resources; and to foster accountability for the participants by increasing treatment and supervision for the repeat impaired driver.

Who may participate:

ASPIRE Court only accepts participants post-conviction. The ASPIRE Court target population is offenders with multiple DWI convictions and/or probation violation involving multiple DWI convictions with a history of substance use disorder, substance abuse, or addiction on a case-by-case basis. The target population is offenders with moderate to severe substance dependence. The ASPIRE Court primarily targets Aggravated Level 1, Level 1 and Level 2 offenders.

Referral Process:

Eligible individuals will consult with their defense attorneys to request a referral. Attorneys will consult with the ASPIRE Court District Attorney to have their clients screened by the ASPIRE Court Coordinator.

Documents:

ASPIRE Court Team

Table: ASPIRE Court Team Members

Name	Title	Agency
Julie Kepple	Presiding Judge	40th Judicial District Court Judge
Brannon Wilson	Chief Probation Officer	North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
Andrew Gutierrez	Probation Officer	North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections
Tiffany Graaff	Coordinator	Buncombe County Justice Services
Josh Harold	Assistant District Attorney	District Attorney’s Office, North Carolina 40th Judicial District
Susanna Knox	Assistant Public Defender	North Carolina 40th Judicial District
Madeline Watson	Licensed Clinician	Buncombe County Justice Services
Pam Sexton	Corporal Deputy Sheriff	Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office
Hannah Calloway	Justice Services Liaison	Buncombe County Justice Services
Patrick Sluder	DWI Task Force	Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office
Lisa Keys	Treatment Representative	Vaya Health
Ashley Ramey	Certified Peer Support Specialist	Buncombe County Justice Services

Who may participate:

To be eligible for participation in Veterans Treatment Court participants must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be a resident Buncombe County
• Have an alleged mental health or substance misuse disorder
• Be charged with F-E felonies and/or Misdemeanors
• Have served at least 1-day of active duty military service; or receive VA medical care
• All discharge types accepted, except for Dishonorable Discharge
• Be able to understand and willing to comply with the program requirements
• Complete an intake and Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
• Must be approved by the District Attorney’s office

Referral Process:

Eligible individuals will consult with their defense attorneys to request a referral to Veterans Treatment Court. Attorneys will consult with the VTC District Attorney to have their clients screened by the Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator.

Documents:

Veterans Treatment Court Team

Table: Veterans Treatment Court Team Members

Name	Title	Agency
Honorable Judge Marvin Pope	Presiding Judge	Superior Court Judge, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Kerry Glasoe-Grant	Chief Public Defender	Public Defender’s Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Todd Williams	District Attorney	District Attorney's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Kevin Rumley	Veterans Treatment Court - Coordinator	Buncombe County
Kay Holtzinger	Veteran Justice Outreach	Veteran's Affairs
Katherine Houghton	Veteran Justice Outreach	Veteran's Affairs
Joan McCurry	Chief Probation	North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Dr. Jamie Vaske	Researcher	Western Carolina University
Deputy Charlie Hess	Law Enforcement	Buncombe County
Master Deputy Roy Rice	Law Enforcement	Buncombe County
Jessica Shepherd	Community Relations Representative	October Road, Inc.
Jared Sutton	Probation	North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Kara Meader	Care Coordinator	Vaya Health
Madeline Watson	Treatment Court Clinician	Buncombe County Justice Services

Contact

Jillian Davis, Supervisor
Buncombe County Treatment Courts
P: (828) 250-4653

Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801

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