Project Rehabilitate

Rehabilitation

Overview

Project Rehabilitate provides support to people facing criminal legal issues while engaged in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment.  Clients of Project Rehabilitate are represented by a public defender attorney from intake to the resolution of their case. This guarantees clear and consistent communication between clients, the Public Defender’s Office, and treatment facilities.

Project Rehabilitate program features

  • Helps clients obtain free legal representation through the Public Defender’s Office
  • Helps get hearings postponed for clients engaged in SUD treatment
  • Certified recovery specialists use their personal recovery experience to help clients:
    •  Navigate the legal system and their early recovery journey
    • Understand treatment options, access resources, and develop coping skills
 

What qualifies

To qualify for Project Rehabilitate services, potential clients must meet at least one criteria from Category A and one from Category B.

Category A
Referred persons must be actively engaged with SUD treatment in at least one of the following facilities.

  • An inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center
  • Incarceration, such as the Allegheny County Jail
  • An inpatient mental health facility
  • An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program
  • A recovery community organization

Category B  
Referred persons must have at least one of the following criminal legal issues.

  • An active criminal case in Allegheny County
  • A warrant for a criminal case in Allegheny County
  • A probation violation warrant in Allegheny County
  • An active or inactive summary offense (traffic and non-traffic offenses)
  • A warrant for unpaid court costs and fines for summary offense in Pennsylvania

If the referred person meets these criteria, please email
Rehabilitate@AlleghenyCounty.us

What doesn't qualify

Unfortunately, Project Rehabilitate is unable to assist with the following.

  • Representation for criminal offenses alleged to have occurred outside of Allegheny County (but we can help refer to other Public Defender agencies)
  • Restitution
  • Court fines and court costs for criminal cases at the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania
  • Non-criminal cases or issues (family law, civil law, etc.)
  • Cases filed outside of Pennsylvania
  • Service referrals for participants while in treatment
  • Assistance with obtaining treatment
 

Community engagement

Project Rehabilitate engages with various community organizations that support SUD recovery across Southwestern Pennsylvania, including inpatient treatment facilities, transitional housing, nonprofits, and recovery organizations.

Additionally, Project Rehabilitate hosts regular office hours for Allegheny County residents to answer their legal questions, free of cost.

For any questions regarding partnering with Project Rehabilitate, please send any inquiries to Rehabilitate@AlleghenyCounty.us.

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