FAQs

Yes.  STAR is a specialty court that seeks to help individuals who are on federal supervised release or probation and who are struggling with alcohol, drug or mental health issues.  Like other “problem-solving” or therapeutic courts, drug courts have been in state criminal court systems for over 25 years and they have had very good results – helping people to overcome their addictions, become productive, working members of our community, and not return to prison.  For more information on the history and track record of […]..

Anyone, including the court, the prosecutor, defense counsel or probation officer can make a referral to STAR.  However, STAR is currently limited to portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and meets in the Los Angeles and Riverside federal courthouse. To apply, defense counsel should prepare and submit a STAR Program Referral Form. For the Los Angeles program, email the completed form to STAR U.S. Probation Officer Kristie Rzonca (Kristie_Rzonca@cacp.uscourts.gov); for the Riverside program, send to STAR U.S. Probation Officer Sherry Harrision (Sherry_Harrison@cacp.uscourts.gov).  […]..

Since its inception in 2005, STAR has worked with more than 100 participants and has successfully graduated 45 individuals...

STAR has a 3-phase structure. Participants “phase up” based on their performance in the program, including participating in substance abuse and/or mental health treatment; attending court sessions and self-help meetings...

All STAR participant treatments plans are individualized based on the participant’s specific needs...

As a STAR participant, you will be expected to attend weekly STAR court sessions, remain in contact with probation and, perhaps most importantly, you must make every effort to remain clean and sober.  In addition to random drug testing, you would also be expected to engage in some form of drug treatment or therapy, attend at least three 12 Step meetings per week, and seek employment or educational opportunities.  At least once a month, the entire STAR program also participates in several hours of community […]..

In order to participate in STAR, you will need to resolve any pending violations with your sentencing judge before you begin our program.  However, you may want to apply to STAR and observe court sessions before any violation hearing so that your sentencing judge may take this into consideration when determining what sanctions, if any, you should serve before commencing STAR. To observe in Los Angeles, STAR meets every Thursday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. with the Hon. Otis Wright, III and the Hon. Rozella A. […]..

The STAR team is comprised of two judicial officers: United States District Judge, Otis D. Wright, II, and United States Magistrate Judge, Rozella A. Oliver. Other team members include representatives from the United States Probation Office, The United States Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California...

You should discuss your decision with one of the assigned Deputy Federal Public Defender...

In addition to the requirements listed above, and your completion of the three different phases of the program, all STAR graduates must maintain at least six months of uninterrupted sobriety, attend regular twelve step meetings, work with a sponsor or other mentor, have stable living conditions, and present a relapse prevention plan.  Upon graduation, your term of supervised release is reduced by one year.  If you have more than one year left of supervised release after you graduate, you will return to regular supervision until […]..