Currituck County is working with Robert P. Trivette, Chief District Court Judge, 1st Judicial District, North Carolina, to develop a specialized court program to support citizens recovering from substance abuse disorders.
A recovery court aims to rehabilitate members of the community who are facing criminal charges due to their substance use disorders. People who are charged with or convicted of victimless crimes may avoid incarceration if they follow a drug treatment, testing, and monitoring program. It requires cooperation from several agencies, including the North Carolina Court System, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, NC Department of Adult Correction Probation and Parole Division, and law enforcement. Judge Trivette will preside over the court in Currituck County. He also presides over the Dare County Drug Recovery Court.
“Currituck County will launch a recovery court in January 2026 to better support individuals struggling with substance use disorders through treatment, accountability, and recovery,” said Angela Lottman, Currituck County Opioid Program Coordinator. “Together, we are creating a path toward recovery, stability, and stronger families.”
Lottman will serve as the recovery court coordinator for Currituck County and is spending significant time observing the Dare County program and meeting with Judge Trivette and other court officials. She said the Currituck Recovery Court will operate for an initial period of 24 months. It will likely begin with a small group of 8-10 participants, to better focus on providing individualized support and building a strong foundation for the program.
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners completed a necessary step regarding funding during its meeting on October 6, 2025. Commissioners amended the resolution authorizing expenditures of opioid settlement funds to include a recovery court.
Judge Trivette hosted a training program for local agencies on October 16 – 17, 2025, at the Currituck Cooperative Extension Center. Staff from Trillium Health presented the “Sequential Intercept Mapping and Taking Action for Change” (SIMS) program. The SIMS program is designed to help communities identify existing community resources, service gaps, and opportunities for improved service coordination between mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice professionals.
Approximately 40 attendees participated, including Superior Court Judge Eula Reid, Currituck County Sheriff Matt Beickert, Currituck County Commissioner Selina Jarvis, Currituck County Commissioner Kevin McCord, Department of Social Services Director Samantha Hurd, and Lottman. Other attendees included officials from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Currituck County Detention Center, Currituck County Fire-Emergency Medical Services, Currituck 911 Communications, College of the Albemarle, Albemarle Regional Health Services, Currituck County Magistrate, and local mental health and substance abuse counseling agencies.
