The HOPE team is a multidisciplinary group of Federal Public Defenders, the EDNC District Court, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, CJA Panel, and treatment providers. The team works collaboratively to support participants in developing insight into their substance use, identifying contributing factors, and understanding the impact of their behavior on themselves, their families, and the community. Through treatment and other rehabilitative services, participants are supported in making meaningful, sustainable changes that promote long-term success.

HOPE Court is held at the federal courthouse in Raleigh, North Carolina every Thursday, with court sessions starting at 8:00 am. HOPE Court sessions are used to assess the progress of each participant using incentives and graduated responses to promote long-term, sustainable change. The HOPE sessions are closed to the public, but participants are encouraged to bring family and friends for additional support. 

The HOPE Court program has four phases, which each participant must complete to successfully graduate. Graduates complete the program in 15 months on average, with total duration dependent on participants’ individual progress. The HOPE team emphasizes recovery, accountability, and personal responsibility, which are key to our participant’s goal of sobriety. The program’s focus is on providing the skills needed to be successful on federal supervision and beyond, including treatment, educational, and vocational support.