Homeless sex offenders are eligible for an alternative program through the Thurston County Court

Thurston County's judicial alternative pilot program is a hybrid version of the San Diego one Homeless Court Programwhich allows homeless people to resolve misdemeanors while working to address the underlying cause of their homelessness.

There are currently no eligibility requirements or restrictions in the county's pilot program. Individuals can take part in the district council new pilot program if they are homeless and have a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, simple possession charge or an outstanding warrant in District Court.

However, a person's public defender and prosecutor must agree that the person is a good fit for the program in order for the person to be accepted.

There will be a staggered capacity of only 10 participants at a time, starting with five participants in the first month. The pilot program will last one year.

San Diego's homeless court, which is considered a model for such a facility, excludes only domestic violence and sexual crimes. According to Leah Landon, Thurston County Criminal Justice Regional Program Manager, Thurston County will not exclude these crimes at the request of prosecutors and public defenders.

The Thurston County – Court Alternative Program Implementation Committee agreed that the Thurston County Public Defender and the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office should have the discretion to refer non-felony cases by agreement.

“Generally, sexual offenses and domestic violence cases are not considered unless the Assistant District Attorney, after consultation with the victim, determines that such a referral is in the interests of justice,” Landon wrote via email to The Center Square.

The San Diego Homeless Court team told The Center Square that it excludes domestic violence and sex crimes because states have different legal requirements for certain types of cases, including domestic violence and sex crimes. All jurisdictions that have homeless courts also have their own referral and engagement parameters.

Landon emphasized that Thurston County's pilot program is not a diversion program, but rather serves as a process that refers individuals accused of non-serious crimes into a participating provider's program that provides needs assessment and coordinated services.

​​If a service provider is unable to resolve a participant's specific problem, the County will assist in connecting that individual to another service provider.

Homeless Court recognizes homeless offenders for time served in the program. This allows them to receive services aimed at addressing the underlying causes of homelessness while balancing legal involvement.

According to Landon, implementation of the program will be funded through existing resources without using additional county funds.

The Thurston County – Court Alternative Program begins December 1st.