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Utah Alternatives to Conviction Track (UACT)

The District of Utah now offers an innovative, post-guilty plea diversion program.  The District Court, the United States Attorney's Office, the United States Probation Office, and the Federal Public Defender's Office, jointly designed the Utah Alternatives to Conviction Track (UACT) Program.  The UACT program offers participating defendants a creative blend of treatment, sanction alternatives, judicial involvement, and unique incentives to effectively address offender behavior for the purposes of promoting rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and promoting the safety of our community.

Participation in UACT is voluntary.  During their time in the program, participants will engage in a variety of programs to address underlying causes of their criminal conduct, and are required to attend regularly scheduled UACT program meetings that include regular reports on their progress in the program. Depending on the group in which participants are placed, those who successfully complete all requirements of the program receive probationary sentences or have the charges against them dismissed.

The UACT program has very limited capacity.  As a practical matter, seats in the program are highly competitive. Defendants wishing to participate must apply for acceptance into the program, and must meet eligibility requirements.

Links below are to documents providing an overview of the program, and a summary chart depicting the program's operation. The Interagency Agreement provides a detailed explanation of the program, including information about who is eligible to participate, how to apply for admission into the program, how the program is run, and what happens upon completion or termination from the program.  All UACT participants are required to sign contracts describing the terms and conditions of acceptance into the program.  

Please submit applications and inquiries to UACT@utd.uscourts.gov
UACT Team
Name Role Email
Greg Petersen Probation Officer Greg_Petersen@utp.uscourts.gov
Amy Parker Odyssey House aparker@odysseyhouse.org
Vanessa Ramos Federal Defender Vanessa_Ramos@fd.org
Scott Wilson Federal Defender Scott_wilson@fd.org
Jennifer Gully Asst U.S. Attorney jennifer.gully@usdoj.gov
Jill Parrish Judge utdecf_parrish@utd.uscourts.gov
Dustin Pead Judge utdecf_pead@utd.uscourts.gov
Ryan Robertson Case Manager ryan_robertson@utd.uscourts.gov

 

 

 

New Documents

  • Video of Training Presentation by Judge Shelby - August 24, 2016 (pt1) (pt2)
  • Chief Judge Shelby, Judge Nuffer, Judge Pead and the UACT professional team - along with two UACT graduates and one current participant - describe UACT, its benefits, effects and the application process. (part 1) (part 2)

 

Link to other court programs:
ARC (Assisting Reentry to our Communities) Programs