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 probation or supervised release. The program combines treatment, incentives 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 and Riverside divisions under the supervision of the Hon. Otis D. Wright, II:
- The Los Angeles STAR court sessions are held in the U.S. Courthouse located at 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90012 in Courtroom 5D on Thursdays at 1:45 p.m. The weekly 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 U.S. Courthouse located at 3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside CA 92501 on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., in Courtroom 4. The weekly court sessions are overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judges Sheri Pym and Kenly Kiya Kato.
STAR Eligibility Requirements
STAR Court Participation in STAR is completely voluntary and the program takes at least one year to complete. Successful participants receive up to one year reduction off of their term of supervision. To date, STAR has worked with more than 130 participants, including 52 graduates and approximately 30 current participants.
To be eligible for STAR, the candidate must observe a STAR court session in the STAR court division closest to their residence; have 24 months remaining on their federal supervision; reside in Los Angeles 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:
- Kristie Rzonca, STAR-LA USPO (310) 215-2468 (Office) or (562) 244-8755 (Cell)
- Raul Ayala, FPD-CDCA, Supervising Deputy Federal Public Defender (213) 894-7331
- 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:
- Sherry Harrison, STAR-Riverside USPO (951) 328-4494 (Office) or (909) 963-6684
- Raul Ayala, FPD-CDCA, Supervising Deputy Federal Public Defender (213) 894-7331
Please send Riverside STAR referrals to USPO Sherry Harrison at Sherry_Harrison@cacp.uscourts.gov
For additional eligibility information, please download the STAR Program Referral Form.