UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
ORDER MODIFIYING LASER PROGRAM ADM-1
DESCRIPTION AND PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT ORDER 16-2
ORDER
On April 2016, the court togetherwith a working group comprised of representatives
from the United States Attorney's Office, United States Probation Office, the Federal Defender's
Office, the court's CJA Panel, and a LADC, undertook a review of the LASER program,
including the Participant Agreement. Followingthat review, the court approved modifications to
the description of the program and the ParticipantAgreement. The revised description and
agreement are attached and shall be in effect pending further order of the court.
SO ORDERED,
November 7,2016
Jose
Chief J
United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
LASER Docket
Law Abiding. Sober. Employed. Responsible.
FOUR-PHASE PROGRAM
The LASER Docket is a court rehabilitative program for those defendants/offenders whose
qualifyingcrimes are attributableto drug abuse and/or addiction. It is a collaborativeeffort among
the United States District Court (USDC), United States Attorney's Office (USAO), United States
Probation Office (USPO), and the Federal Defender's Office (FDO) aimed at transforming
criminal defendants into law-abiding, sober, employed, and responsible citizens.
The LASER Docket team, consisting of representatives of the USAO, USPO, defense attorneys,
and the USDC, has determined that participants shouldcompletethe programrequirements in four
phases over a minimum of twelve months. The requirements for successful completion of each
phase are concrete, clear, and universally applicable. Each phase entails specific goals with a
number of distinct, achievable expectations that are consistent with each stage of recovery.
Successful participants will gain an understanding of the process of addiction, recognize triggers,
and pattems of use and abuse, and appreciate the impact of addiction on themselves, their family,
andsociety. Participants willaccept responsibility fortheirconduct andacquire the necessary tools
to achieve a sober, law-abiding lifestyle. Participants will be required to develop a community-
based sober support network and a comprehensive relapse prevention plan as conditions of
graduation from the LASER Docket program.
Pre-Enrollment Period - Orientation
Each prospective participant is required to obtain an evaluation by a licensed alcohol and drug
abuse counselor (LADC) before admission to Phase 1. This evaluation is intended to determine
whetherthe prospective participant is stable enough to successfully engage in outpatient treatment.
An offender who is actively using illicit drugs, tests positive for the presence of illicit drugs, or
refuses to participate in drug testing will require a greater level of intervention/support to attain
stability before admission to the LASER Docket program. The admission process is as follows:
Attend/observe courtroom session
Referral is made by USAO, USPO, defense attorney, or Magistrate Judge
Acceptance into program is determined by U.S. Attorney (if pretrial defendant)
Evaluation is completed by a LADC
Modified presentence report is completed by USPO (includes intake application,
interview, and home visit)
Team review to determine eligibility
• Agreement is executed
PHASE 1 - Limited Early Recovery (30 days)
Goals:
The participant will abstain from drug and alcohol use, engage in treatment and stabilize in the
appropriate level of treatment services. The participant develops an understanding of the process
of addiction, begins to recognize triggers and patterns of use and abuse. The participant develops
early recovery tools and a foundation of support for recovery.
Expectations:
Remain law-abiding
Abstain from drug/alcohol use
Comply with supervision conditions, rules and regulations of LASER Docket program
Mental health assessment conducted within 10 days including a career aptitude test
Participate in treatment and testing as directed; comply with rules and regulations of
treatment program
Participate in the sweat patch drug testing program if deemed appropriate by USPO
Compile list of self-help meetings within 25-mile radius of your home or job
Weekly court appearance
Minimum of 1 home visit per week by USPO
Maintain sobriety for no less than 15 consecutive days before transition to Phase 2
PHASE 2 - Early Recovery (90 days)
Goals:
The participant will demonstrate a commitment to living substance free by identifying and
understanding the adverse consequences of drug and/or alcohol use. The participant will
acknowledge responsibility for his/her conduct. The participantwill enter a life skills, educational
or employment program, or secure employment.
Expectations:
• Remain law-abiding
• Abstain from drug/alcohol use
• Comply with supervision conditions, rules and regulations of LASER Docket program
Participate in mental health/substance abuse treatment and testing as directed; comply
with rules and regulations of treatment program(s)
Participate in the sweat patch drug testing program if deemed appropriate by USPO
Maintain/seek employmentor continueeducation as applicable (community service will
be performed in the absence of employment/education)
Develop plan to obtain GED (if applicable) unless excused by the drug court team
Obtain assessment of life skills, education, employment, and financial status by 60-day
mark; consider ways to enhance educational/vocational qualifications
Obtain a sponsor
Attend at least 3 self-help meetings per week (e.g., NA, AA, HA)
Begin process to obtain/reinstate driver's license (if applicable)
Weekly court appearance
Minimum of 1 contact per week by USPO (to include home, community, or office) with
2 home visits per month
Maintain sobriety for no less than 45 consecutive days before transition to Phase 3
PHASE 3 - Healthy Decision Making (120 Days)
Goals:
The participant will develop a community-based sober support network upon which to rely in
making significant decisions and coping with stressors. The participant will complete an
employment or educational program, or secure employment.
Expectations:
Remain law-abiding
Abstain from drug/alcohol use
Comply with supervision conditions, rules and regulations of LASER Docket program
Participate in mental health/substance abuse treatmentand testing as directed; comply
with rules and regulations of treatment program(s)
Participate in the sweat patch drug testing program if deemed appropriate by USPO
Maintain/seek employmentor continue education as applicable (community service will
be performed in the absence of employment/education)
Develop a monthly budget which must be completed by 60-day mark
Establish a primary care physician (mustobtain a letter confirming that participant is
under a physician's care)
Develop community-based sober support network
Complete at least2 lifeskillsprograms (including but not limited to computer class,
moneymanagement, parentingclass, nutrition class, vocational training). Program must
be approved by LASER Docket team
Attend at least 3 self-help meetings per week (e.g., NA, AA, HA)
Identifyvolunteer location and submitto LASERDocketteam for approval
Bi-weekly court appearance
Minimum of 1 contactper week by USPO (to include home, community, or office) with
2 home visits per month
Maintain sobriety for no less than 90 consecutive days before transition to Phase 4
PHASE 4 - Relapse Prevention Planning/Maintenance (120 Days)
Goals:
Develop a comprehensive relapse prevention and long-term recovery plan.
Expectations:
Remain law-abiding
Abstain from drug/alcohol use
Comply with supervision conditions, rules and regulations of LASER Docket program
Participate in mental health/substance abuse treatmentand testing as directed; comply
with rules and regulations of treatment program(s)
Participate in the sweat patch drug testing program if deemed appropriate by USPO
Maintain/seek employment or continue education as applicable (community servicewill
be performed in the absence of employment/education)
Engage in positive social leisure activities as sober adult
Develop comprehensive relapse prevention and intervention plan; submit relapse
prevention and intervention plan for approval
Set long-term recovery goals
Attend at least 3 self-help meetings per week (e.g., NA, AA, HA)
Complete a 20-hour volunteer assignment
Complete a Manualized Cognitive Behavioral Group program (Thinking for a Change or
Moral Reconation Therapy); must commence by 30-day mark
Monthly court appearance
Minimum of 1 contact per week by USPO (to include home, community, or office)
Maintain sobriety for entire 120 days (remain in Phase 4 until 120 consecutive days of
sobriety)
U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire
LASER Docket
Law Abiding. Sober. Employed. Rehabilitated.
AGREEMENT
I, , am seeking permission to participate in the District of New
Hampshire's LASER Docket. I understand that, if I am accepted into the LASER Docket, I must
fully comply with the counseling requirements and othercourtorders set forth belowand in the
orderSetting Conditions of Release. 1understand that failure to complywith the terms of this
agreement or the Court's orders, may result in modification and/ortermination from the LASER
Docket and/or revocation.
I agree to commit no other violations of federal, state, or local law.
I agree not to use alcohol or drugs, including syntheticdrugs and bath salts or their
derivative.
I agree to obey all instructions of the judicial officer of the U.S. District Court and the
U.S. Probation Office.
I agreeto provide the U.S. Probation Officewith my logins and passwords for any social
networking groups that I belong to.
I agree to abide by the following medical protocol conditions:
The defendant shall utilize one pharmacy and shall advise the probation office
which pharmacy he/she is using.
The defendant shall utilize one hospital (unless transported by emergency
personnel and unable to dictate which hospital he/she is to be transported to) and
shall advise the probation office which hospital he/she will be utilizing.
The defendant shall pick a primary care physician to manage his/her medical care
(if needed) and shall notify the probation office of the name, address, and phone
number of the physician within one week of obtaining the services.
The defendant shall notify the probation office within 24 hours of any changes in
his/her prescribed medication and prior to filling his/her prescription (unless it is
an emergency situation).
The defendant shall execute releases of information allowing the probation office
to access his/her medical records with hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies utilized
by him/her.
The defendant shall notify all health care providers of the specifics of his/her
substance abuse/addiction.
I agree to submit to drug testing as directed by the judicial officer of the U.S. District
Court and the U.S. Probation Office, and 1will refrain from the use of poppy seeds and/or
poppy seed products and any synthetic drugs.
1agree to immediately enroll in the following substance abuse treatment program, and to
abide by the rules and regulations of that program until clinically discharged:
I agree to sign a release of information to allow the probation office to speak with my
counselor and/or receive treatment reports on a regular basis.
I understand that I will be required to obtain a sponsor and attend self-help groups during
my time in LASER Docket, in addition to any counseling sessions that 1am required to
attend.
1understand that 1will be required to complete homework assignments given to me by
the Court and/or probation office and agree to complete them in a timely manner.
I understand that should I fail to appear for any LASER Docket review hearing, violation
proceedings may be initiated which may include the issuance of an arrest warrant.
1agree to submit to a search of my person, residence, office or vehicle at a reasonable
time and in a reasonable manner, based upon reasonable suspicion that contraband or
evidence of a violation of a condition of release may exist. 1also agree to warn any other
residents that the premises may be subject to searches pursuant to this condition.
I agree not to associate with any persons engaged in criminal activity and shall not
associate with any person convicted of a felony, unless granted to do so by the Court or
the U.S. Probation Office.
I have read and acknowledge that I understand the above terms and conditions of my
participation in the LASER Docket and to agree to fully comply with those terms and condition.
Participant Date
I have advised my client of all of the terms and conditions, and believe that my client fully
understands those terms and conditions, and knowingly and voluntarily seeks permission to
participate in the LASER Docket.
Attorney for Participant Date
I recommend the above-named individual for participation in the LASER Docket for the District
of New Hampshire.
Assistant United States Attorney Date
I recommend the above-named individual for participation in the LASER Docket for the District
of New Hampshire.
U.S. Probation Officer Date
I approve the above-named individual for participation in the LASER Docket for the District of
New Hampshire.
Honorable Joseph N. Laplante Date
United States District Judge
District of New Hampshire
