Elmira City Court

Hon. Peter F. Finnerty,
presiding H.O.P.E Court Judge 

Amber T. Donovan, Resource Coordinator II 
Hazlett Building, 1st floor
P.O. Box 588
Elmira, NY 14902-0574
Cell 607-221-3758
Office 607-873-9446
Fax 646-963-6434

What is H.O.P.E Court?
A judiciary supervised triage program that links participants with Medication Assisted Treatment (M.A.T) and/or Substance Abuse Treatment within hours of their arrest or overdose. The program gives participants the tools and knowledge to jump-start the path to HOPE. The program is for high-risk individuals that need immediate treatment and action to help save their life from potential overdose. Any charges pending against the participant are suspended pending participation in the program and will not recommence until the program is completed either by the participant's graduation or removal.

Who is eligible for H.O.P.E. Court?
Any individual with a pending charge in Elmira City Court, or any other court within Chemung County may request to be screened and assessed for access to the program. A pending charge may also include a Violation of Probation.

What is required of the participants in H.O.P.E. Court?
Participants will be required to check-in with Judge Finnerty every Tuesday and Friday at 8:45 a.m. at Elmira City Court located at 317 E. Church Street, Elmira, New York on the 2nd Floor.
Participants will need to abide by a strict 8pm curfew every night and must call the HOPE Court Coordinator to check-in by leaving a message.
Participants will be required to follow a treatment plan that will follow their initial screening and assessment needs. Treatment plans may consist of alcohol and/or drug inpatient or outpatient care depending on level of need, and may also include mental health treatment, self-help, employment assistance, job readiness programs and schooling.
Participants will need to abstain from all mood-altering substances and be subjected to random testing throughout the program to ensure compliancy.
Participants will be encouraged to attend sober support activities in the community that will assist them with developing a sober support network.

What is the benefits of participating in H.O.P.E. Court?
If participants complete the program successfully as it is designed, they will have a renewed sense of life and HOPE for a chance at living sober without the fear and risk of overdose.
If participants graduate H.O.P.E. Court after successfully fulfilling the requirements, they may receive a favorable plea-offer by the District Attorney's office, or even possibly a full dismissal of the charges that was pending against them.

Is there a time limit in completing H.O.P.E. Court?
No. The program length depends on how well the participant has engaged and adhered to the program requirements, and how well they are doing in their treatment plan.