Washington County provides three different specialty court options for non-violent offenders who commit drug or drug related property crimes.  These courts include Adult Drug Court, Integrative Re-Entry Intensive Supervision Services (IRISS), and Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program (FSAP).  The focus of each specialty court is tailored for the participants.  In order to participate in one of these specialty courts, a common application may be completed (available here) so that a team of evaluators may determine which specialty court is the best fit for the offender.

Washington County’s Integrative Family Sentencing Alternatives Pilot Program (FSAP) is funded through Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI).  This program ensures Oregon’s criminal justice resources are used effectively while reducing recidivism, decreasing prison use, protecting the public and holding offenders accountable.

The FSAP program is designed for select, non-violent drug and property crime offenders who are parents of a child under 18 years of age.  FSAP is similar to Washington County’s IRISS program with a special focus on diverting parents from entering the prison system in order to promote the unification of families and preventing children from entering foster care. 

FSAP participants are typically diverted from serving a prison sentence and receive treatment from local providers and enhanced community supervision through Washington County’s community corrections department.  This enhanced supervision is designed to hold offenders accountable while also addressing underlying issues related to behavioral health, housing, and employment challenges.  Participants must either reside within or agree to move to Washington County and live in approved housing.  Participants must stipulate to an enhanced five-year period of probation, with the understanding that most will qualify for an earned discharge reduction at the halfway point.  Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the court may terminate probation early, however, there is an 18-month minimum period of supervision.

Key Details/Entry Process

  • An evaluation for specialty court entry may be initiated by the court, the defendant, community corrections, or the DA’s Office.  The application form is available here
  • Upon submission of the application form and approval by Washington County’s JRI team, the Washington County Community Corrections Department will conduct a “defendant assessment review” (DAR) to make a recommendation regarding the appropriate specialty court for the defendant
  • Joint approval by the court, community corrections, and the DA’s Office is required for participation in the specialty court.  The defendant must also agree.
  • If a defendant is approved and chooses to enter the specialty court, the defendant will proceed to that specialty court.  If the defendant is not approved or chooses not to enter the specialty court, the case will continue through the system in normal course.

General Eligibility for FSAP program:

The following eligibility factors and exclusion criteria provide guidance regarding which cases and applicants are appropriate for the FSAP program.  The JRI team will review the circumstances of each applicant including, but not limited to, a review of the factual circumstances of the current and past cases, criminal history, past participation in treatment programs or specialty courts, community safety considerations, and amenability to supervision and treatment.  In exceptional situations, JRI team members reserve the right to deviate from these guidelines.

FSAP Eligible Charges

  • Eligible charges generally include non-violent C felony and A misdemeanor charges. 
  • Other charges may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they do not involve exclusion criteria and inclusion is consistent with the goals of the program and with ORS 421.170 sec. 1 (providing FSAP statutory framework)

FSAP Exclusion Criteria

The following charges (including attempts) and factors are presumptively not eligible, but subject to review by the JRI team. 

  • Reckless Endangerment
  • Robbery 3
  • Tampering with Drug Records
  • Misdemeanor weapons possession charges (non-firearm or explosive device)
  • Unlawful use of a Weapon (non-firearm or explosive device)
  • Select Delivery of Controlled Substance cases (level 8 or below)
  • Burglary 1 (level 7 and select level 8 depending on facts)
  • Aggravated Theft 1
  • Aggravated Identity Theft
  • Prior participation in similar specialty court program
  • Prior person crime charges

The following charges (including attempts) and factors disqualify a participant from participation.

  • Substantial quantity (level 9 and above) controlled substance charges
  • Commercial drug offense s
  • Prior violent felony (including felony sex offense) charges
  • Measure 11 charges
  • Cases involving the providing of controlled substances to minors
  • Felony weapon charges
  • Weapons charges involving firearms or explosive devices
  • Current offense includes DUII
  • Current offense involves child support payments
  • Defendant association/involvement with gang or criminal enterprise