About the STAR Treatment Court

STAR Treatment Court Team

Judge: Honorable Manvel Trice III
Prosecuting Attorney: John McColgan
Defense Counsel: Millicent Shek
Coordinator: Scott Bickel
Case Manager: Melissa Hoose
Director of District Court Probation: Stacy Davis-Diggs
MDOC Agent: Ted McAfee
Domestic Violence/Trauma Services [URR]: Linda Gleesing
Lieutenant/Sheriff Representative [SCSO]: David Kerns
Co-Occurring Therapist: Megan Smith
Co-Occurring Therapist: Mallory Erndt

Saginaw County 70th District Structured Treatment And Recovery (STAR) Program
In October 2017 the Saginaw County Sobriety Treatment Court team attended National Training in El Paso, Texas as a plenary program. In February 2018 our program became operational. The program is now known as STAR – Structured Treatment and Recovery. Funding for the program comes from both state and federal sources through the State Court Administrator’s Office which in turn, monitors the STAR Program for compliance with established principles and statutory requirements (see MCL 600.1060 et seq).

Problem Solving Courts are designed to be non-adversarial and use a team approach to address underlying substance use, mental health, and untreated trauma issues. Evidence-based practices are employed as a sentencing alternative that provides life-saving treatment to people living with serious addiction and mental health conditions. Judge Manvel Trice III presides at the weekly pre-court staffing and review hearing. In addition, there is a full time Defense Attorney, and Case Manager. Representatives of various agencies make-up the remainder of our Star Program Team: Michigan Department of Corrections, District Court Probation, Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office, Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office, LIST Psychological and the Underground Railroad. Specialized training to run the program has been provided to our team members by the National Drug Court Institute and the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals.

A defendant who participates in our STAR Program will be required to serve a term of probation with intensive supervision for approximately 18-24 months, – on occasion including residential SUD treatment for 90 to 180 days or more. Participants must meet specific requirements as they move through several phases. Requirements include individual and group counseling, curfew times, community service, weekly attendance at self-help meetings, e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous and regular contact with a Case Manager, as well as frequent and random testing for drugs and alcohol, and random home visits night or day. Sometimes electronic monitoring in the form of a tether or alcohol monitoring device is utilized as well. In addition, participants must appear before the Judge weekly each month in the first two phases of the program and every other week thereafter.

The number of participants in Saginaw County generally ranges from 16 to 20 defendants. The first graduation celebration was held in 2020. 30 participants have successfully completed the program, graduated and been discharged from probation. The Saginaw STAR Program is committed to improving public safety, transforming lives and assisting participants in making long term changes that will enable them to maintain a crime free, sober lifestyle.

For more information about the STAR Program for alcohol offenders in Saginaw County contact Coordinator Scott Bickel - sbickel@saginawcounty.com