Sawyer County

The Sawyer County Diversion program is designed to ensure that qualifying defendants charged with drug offenses or offenses stemming from their substance use are provided services that will address their needs while avoiding or minimizing collateral consequences associated with criminal convictions. Case Managers use a risk-based screening approach to appropriately tailor individual diversion case plans and levels of services.

The Pretrial Supervision program provides supervision and case management services to defendants ordered to supervision as a condition of their bail. Case Managers monitor all court-ordered conditions of release as well as provide referral services to programming aimed at addressing risk and need areas that are identified as possibly contributing to future justice system involvement if not properly addressed. Staff provide regular reporting to the court on compliance with court-ordered conditions and apply incentives or sanctions to pro- or anti-social actions according to a behavior-response matrix.

JusticePoint staff screen individuals arrested and booked into the Sawyer County jail who are awaiting a bail hearing. JusticePoint utilizes the Milwaukee County Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (MCPRAI), the UNCOPE, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) to screen for pretrial risk, substance use disorder, and/or mental health needs. The results are prepared for the Sawyer County Judge to review when making bond decisions and informing conditions of release.

Sawyer County Recovery Court began taking referrals November 2023.  The court works with individuals charged with crimes related to their substance abuse including OWI offenses.  Entry to the Sawyer County Hybrid Treatment Court will be dependent upon a referral to the program by the Judge, District Attorney, Defense Attorney, or Coordinator. If the individual referred decides to participate in Hybrid Treatment Court, the defendant’s council and the District Attorney meet to negotiate the plea agreement with Hybrid Treatment Court as a condition of probation. The sentence is stayed and the individual enters Hybrid Treatment Court. Alternatives to revocation will also be accepted to the Hybrid Treatment Court.

Sawyer County law enforcement conducts a risk assessment on individuals that they believe have a substance use disorder, if the individual scores low risk, they are referred to JusticePoint for Pre-Arrest Deflection.  JusticePoint then assess and devlopes a case plan to assist the individual with seeking treatment services.  JusticePoint continues to work with individuals to address their needs and engage them in recovery in lieu of arrest.