(Woodland, CA) – July 24, 2023 – On July 21, 2023, 32-year-old Davis resident, Manuel Beteta, successfully graduated from Addiction Intervention Court (AIC) in Department 6 of the Yolo County Superior Court.
Addiction Intervention Court (AIC) is a specialty court program that serves up to 30 individuals who struggle with substance use disorders and are involved in the criminal justice system as a result of their addiction. The program is a collaborative effort comprised of the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Superior Court, Probation Department, and Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). The program provides intensive support services and supervision aimed at increasing a participant’s overall quality of life while reducing recidivism. AIC is a 18-24 month program.
Beteta’s first court appearance on his case was over three years ago on July 8, 2020. Shortly after that, he was referred to AIC and after being accepted into the program, made his first court appearance in the AIC program on October 1, 2020. He struggled with multiple missteps but was able to persevere and graduate this past Friday.
Prior to AIC graduation, participants are required to write an essay about their experience in AIC. In Beteta’s, he gave the following advice to others in the AIC program, “Please listen and follow the rules. I know in the beginning, it all looks like it’s a lot but eventually it gets easier. Some of us get into the program just to get out of jail. I have seen people that have been in the program walk away and jeopardize their wellness and freedom. I was able to find myself, believe in myself, trust and be trusted. So, just trust the program and process, and you will graduate in no time.”
At the graduation, members of the AIC team congratulated Beteta and told him how proud they were of him. Speakers included AIC Judge Janene Beronio, Deputy Public Defender Bret Bandley, Deputy Probation officer Guillaume Denoix, HHSA staff Terri Lipelt and Amanda Narvaez, and Deputy District Attorney, Martha Wais.
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