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Treatment Courts

Buncombe County has three treatment courts coordinated by several community partners.

Treatment courts are a recovery based intervention to assist people living with substance use and mental health disorders out of the justice system and into lives of wellness and stability. Buncombe County has three treatment courts coordinated by the County.


  • Adult Drug Treatment Court
  • Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court
  • Veteran Treatment Court

Adult Drug Treatment Court

The Buncombe County Adult Drug Treatment Court (DTC) seeks to reduce drug and prison recidivism, while specifically providing guidance, treatment, and discipline to those facing recovery from addiction. The DTC Team, comprised of probation, law enforcement, treatment providers and court officials, offers individuals the tools necessary to help maintain sobriety years after program completion.


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
Michael Roberts 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
Vacant

Location and Time:

Notice: Adult Drug Treatment Court is every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month in the 9th floor courtroom of the Buncombe County Courthouse at 10:45am

Contact

Jillian Davis
Supervisor
P: (828) 250-4653

Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801

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Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court

Mission/Vision/Purpose

The primary mission of Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court of Buncombe County is to increase public safety and save lives by reducing recidivism of persons with alcohol and drug use disorders. Sobriety/DWI Treatment 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:

Sobriety Court only accepts participants post-conviction. The Sobriety 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 Sobriety 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 Sobriety Court District Attorney to have their clients screened by the Sobriety Court Coordinator.

Documents:

Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court Team

Table: Sobriety/DWI Treatment Court Team Members
Name Title Agency
Honorable Judge Julie M. Kepple Presiding Judge District Court Judge, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Tiffany Graaff Coordinator Buncombe County
Joshua Harrold Assistant District Attorney District Attorney's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Sam Snead Public Defender Public Defender's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District
Andrew Gutierrez Probation Officer North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Brannon Wilson Chief Probation Officer North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Kendra Queen Treatment Representative Buncombe County Justice Resource Center
Corporal Pamela Sexton Law Enforcement Representative Buncombe County Sheriff's Department
Corporal Jason Hughes Law Enforcement Representative Buncombe County Sheriff's Department
Hannah Calloway Treatment Representative Buncombe County Justice Resource Center
Madeline Watson Public Defender Social Work Coordinator Public Defender's Office, North Carolina 28th Judicial District

Location and Time:

Notice: Sobriety Court sessions are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm in court room 3A.

Contact

Tiffany Graaff
Sobriety Court Coordinator
P: (828) 250-4463

Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801

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Veterans Treatment Court

Image of veterans treatment court logo.

The mission of the Buncombe County Veteran’s Treatment Court is to promote public safety through accountability and responsibility, and to assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the court and community-based Veteran services, – thereby leaving no veteran behind.


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
Michael Roberts Community Relations Representative October Road, Inc.
Jared Sutton Probation North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Shayna Diaz Care Coordinator Vaya Health

Location and Time:

Notice: VTC Court is every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month in the 9th floor courtroom of the Buncombe County Courthouse at 10:45am

Contact

Kevin Rumley, MSW, LCAS, LCSW, CCS
Veterans Treatment Court - Coordinator
P: (828) 250-6831

Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801

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Locate & Contact

Treatment Courts

Contact

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

Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801

Find Parking