Alternative Solutions
FORGING A DIFFERENT PATH
We pursue evidence-based alternatives to traditional prosecution that address the underlying causes for criminal behavior through appropriate supervision, rehabilitation and education.
405 Urban St., Suite 120 Lakewood, CO 80228 | 303-271-6701
Launching in 2022, Pathways is the First Judicial District’s new diversion program that connects individuals who have committed low-level, non-violent crimes with the resources, treatment, and social support needed to address the underlying causes of their criminal behavior. Unlike the previous Adult Diversion Program, Pathways now also diverts defendants into programming before charges are filed and before they become part of the criminal justice system.
Check out this story from CBS 4 featuring our Pathways Program: CBS 4 Pathways December 2022
Pathways Mission
Pathways is an alternative to traditional prosecution that promotes community and individual wellness. We use a collaborative, strength-based approach with clients and community resources to provide targeted services and a path toward compassionate accountability.
Behavior Interventions
- Assess for Risk, Need, & Strengths
- Individualized & Target Case Planning
- A Strength-based approach to support & enhance change
- SMART Goals & Action Steps
- Establish lasting Community Supports
Our Pursuit is Founded In:
Compassionate Accountability
Trust
Empathy
Collaboration
Equity
Pathways Programs
| Objectives | Risk Assesment | Qualifying Charges | Other Requirements | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encourage Program | Reduce risk of future involvement in criminal justice system | Low Risk | ≤ F5 Felony* |
|
| Engage Program | Decrease risk factors contributing to recidivism | ≤ F5 Felony* | Low-Moderate to Moderate-High Risk |
|
| Substance Intervention | Reduce harms of use to individual and community | DF4, DM1, DM2 | N/A |
|
| Safe & Licensed Driver | Decrease negative impacts of unlicensed/uninsured driving | DUR, HTO, NPOI | N/A |
|
*Exclusions: Charges for adults must not include VRA offenses, weapon offenses, or DUI
Clinical Assessment Tools
Individuals in our Encourage and Engage Programs are eligible based on their current charge and criminal history, and will be assessed for risk, need, and responsivity using our innovative, evidence-based tools. All defendants will be scored from low to high risk. Any person that is determined to be moderate-high risk or lower are presumed eligible for diversion.
Pathways for Youth Programs
Problem-Solving Courts
Offering an effective alternative to incarceration and the traditional criminal justice process, problem-solving courts use collaborative and innovative approaches to addressing the root causes of adult criminal behavior, including – addiction, mental health and combat-related issues specific to U.S. military veterans. Participants are sentenced to two years of probation and enrollment in a program.
Drug Recovery Court
This program reduces individual and community harm by promoting rehabilitation through treatment, accountability and enhanced supervision. The court is available to high-risk and high-need adults who are eligible for probation on non-violent, felony offenses and meet clinical diagnostic criteria for substance dependence.
Mental Health Court
Criminal justice stakeholders in the First Judicial District partnered with the Jefferson Center to develop this court for high-risk and high-need adults that addresses mental health treatment while providing closely-monitored supervision, housing and focused treatment. Individuals who have been previously unsuccessful with probation supervision can be referred to the court by the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, probation officers, mental health professionals and judges.
Veterans Treatment Court
Designed to provide an alternative to incarceration for U.S. military veterans suffering from combat-related trauma, the court provides individual treatment plans to help individuals overcome post-traumatic stress, other mental health issues, substance abuse and traumatic brain injuries related to their service. The project is a collaboration between the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, the courts, probation, defense attorneys, community-based treatment providers, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Fresh Start
Since its debut in August 2021, the Fresh Start program has provided an avenue for people with active warrants for non-violent, low-level misdemeanor and traffic charges to get back on track without having to be arrested.
Modeled after the successful initiative in Colorado’s 20th Judicial District (Boulder), Fresh Start is a collaboration between the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the courts and numerous government and community stakeholders. The recurring event offers individuals an opportunity to take accountability and/or re-engage with the criminal justice system in their case while saving taxpayer dollars and law enforcement resources.
Check out the CBS 4 News Story about Fresh Start here.