Substance Abuse Treatment and Reentry (STAR)
STAR is what is sometimes referred to as a “specialty court” sponsored by the United States Probation Office, the Office of the Federal Public Defender, the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States District Court. These four organizations have teamed up to provide a drug-court-style program for selected individuals who are on federal supervised release. The program combines treatment, incentives, and sanctions and sanction alternatives to effectively address offender behavior, promote rehabilitation, and protect the community.
STAR was established in January 2010, under the leadership of U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright, II, and then-Chief Judge Audrey B. Collins. STAR was created to address substance abuse and recidivism issues with high risk offenders on federal supervision. STAR integrates drug treatment with other rehabilitative services to promote long-term recovery.
The primary mission of STAR is to increase community safety by providing a Court team approach that provides accountability, treatment, recovery services and other resources to offenders on community supervision, and to assist them in changing their behaviors so that they live sober, law-abiding and productive lives.
STAR is presently in the Los Angeles,Riverside, and Santa Ana divisions:
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- The Los Angeles STAR court sessions are held in the First Street Courthouse located at 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90012 in Courtroom 5D on the first two Thursdays of each month at 11:00 a.m.; one Thursday a month at 11 a.m. by zoom, and the final Thursday each month at the L.A. Food Bank The court sessions are overseen by U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright, II and U.S. Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver;
- The Riverside STAR court sessions are held at the George E. Brown Courthouse located at 3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside CA 92501 in Courtroom 3 on the first, second, and third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m., and on the final Tuesday of the month at a food bank. The court sessions are overseen by U.S. District Judge Kenly Kiya Kato and U.S. Magistrate Judges Sheri Pym and David T. Bristow.
- The Santa Ana STAR court sessions are held at the Ronald Reagan Courthouse located at 411 W. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701, in Courtroom 10D on the first, second, and third Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m., and on the final Wednesday of the month at a community service location. The court sessions are overseen by U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter and United States Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero.
STAR Eligibility Requirements
Participation in STAR is completely voluntary and the program takes at least one year to complete. Successful participants receive up to a one-year reduction off of their term of supervision. To date, STAR has worked with more than 376 participants, including 137 graduates.
To be eligible for STAR, the candidate must observe four STAR court sessions in the STAR court division closest to their residence; have at least 24 months remaining on their federal supervision; reside in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, or Riverside County; have no sex offenses, and have a documented substance abuse history.
For additional information about STAR, please contact a team member below:
Primary STAR Los Angeles contacts:
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- Kristie Rzonca, STAR-LA USPO (310) 215-2468 (Office) or (562) 244-8755 (Cell)
- Neha Chisterna, FPD-CDCA, Collaborative Courts Chief (213) 894-4104
- Deborah Gonzalez, FPD-CDCA Deputy Federal Public Defender (213) 894-7867
- Joyce Delaney, FPD-CDCA STAR & CASA Program Paralegal (213) 894-5058
Please send LA STAR referrals to USPO Kristie Rzonca at Kristie_Rzonca@cacp.uscourts.gov.
Primary STAR Riverside contacts:
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- Krystal Ward, STAR-Riverside USPO (909) 383-5568 (Office) or (714) 659-0586
- Neha Chisterna, FPD-CDCA, Collaborative Courts Chief (213) 894-4104
- Joyce Delaney, FPD-CDCA STAR & CASA Program Paralegal (213) 894-5058
Please send Riverside STAR referrals to USPO Krystal Ward at Krystal_Ward@cacp.uscourts.gov.
Primary STAR Santa Ana contacts:
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- Teddy Cha, STAR-Santa Ana USPO (714) 338-2931
- Neha Chisterna, FPD-CDCA, Collaborative Courts Chief (213) 894-4104
- Joyce Delaney, FPD-CDCA STAR & CASA Program Paralegal (213) 894-5058
For additional eligibility information, please download the STAR Program Referral Form.