Defending Your Rights
in Washington County
Casey Kovacic is a Hillsboro-based criminal defense attorney with deep knowledge of Washington County’s courts, prosecutors, and specialty programs. His office is one block from the Washington County Courthouse — and he has litigated thousands of cases in the courts where your case will be decided.
Washington County Circuit Court
Local Knowledge That
Matters in Your Case
Washington County’s criminal justice system has its own prosecutors, judges, local rules, and specialty court programs — and navigating them effectively requires more than general legal knowledge. It requires someone who knows the courthouse, has relationships with the District Attorney’s office, and understands exactly how cases move through the system here.
Casey Kovacic has spent his entire career practicing in Oregon courts, including years as a staff attorney at Metropolitan Public Defender Services handling Washington County cases. From arraignment at the Washington County Circuit Court to jury trials and beyond, Casey appears regularly before local judges and is well-known to the prosecutors who will handle your case.
He handles every level of criminal charge in Washington County — DUI/DUII, misdemeanors, felonies, Measure 11 offenses, domestic violence, drug crimes, and expungements — and personally manages every case from start to finish.
Washington County Specialty Programs
Diversion & Alternative Sentencing
Programs You May Qualify For
Washington County offers several programs that can result in reduced charges, dismissed cases, or alternative sentencing for qualifying defendants. An experienced attorney can assess your eligibility early — often at arraignment — and pursue the best available path.
Early Case Resolution (ECR)
Washington County’s ECR program is designed to resolve eligible cases quickly — often at or shortly after the initial arraignment hearing — avoiding prolonged court proceedings for qualifying defendants.
Who may qualify:
- Many misdemeanor offenses
- Drug possession charges
- Certain lower-level felony crimes
Casey evaluates ECR eligibility from day one and can position your case for resolution at the earliest opportunity if that is in your best interests. Many cases take time to properly work up, and ECR is not the right fit for every situation.
Domestic Violence Deferred Sentencing (DVDS)
The DVDS program is available to eligible first-time domestic violence offenders who wish to resolve their case early. Successful completion results in full dismissal of all charges.
Program requirements include:
- Guilty plea and statement to the Court
- Completion of a qualified DV treatment program
- Abstaining from alcohol and drugs
- Alcohol/drug treatment or parenting classes if applicable
- No contact with the victim until permitted by the Court
Failure to complete any requirement results in revocation and sentencing. Proper preparation and guidance is critical — and DVDS is not the right choice for every case, given the program’s strict requirements.
DUII Diversion Program
Oregon’s DUII diversion program allows eligible first-time DUI defendants to avoid conviction by completing a treatment and monitoring program. The deadline to apply is typically 30 days from your first court appearance — acting quickly is essential.
Casey handles DUII cases in both Washington County Circuit Court and Beaverton Municipal Court.
Diversion Early Case Resolution (DECR)
DECR offers eligible, crime-free defendants the opportunity to have charges fully dismissed after completing a one-year diversion program. Eligibility is assessed at arraignment, and entry requires a guilty plea at or near that hearing.
Program requirements (all within one year):
- Remain crime-free for the entire diversion term
- No contact with the victim
- Complete community service
- Pay any requested restitution
Eligible charges include:
- Criminal Mischief in the 2nd or 3rd Degree
- Disorderly Conduct 2
- Interfering with Public Transportation
- Theft in the 2nd or 3rd Degree
You are not eligible if you:
- Have any prior criminal conviction in any jurisdiction
- Have previously entered a diversion under ORS 137.533 or ORS 135.881
- Have used a conditional discharge under ORS 475.245
- Have a prior violation on a similar offense or a prior civil compromise
- Failed to appear at arraignment or any DECR setover appearances
The State must also find that diversion serves the interests of justice and benefits both the defendant and the community. Casey can make a compelling case for your entry from the very first hearing.
For Veterans Facing Charges
Washington County
Veterans Treatment Court (VTC)
The Veterans Treatment Court offers eligible veterans an alternative to traditional sentencing through a judicially supervised treatment program addressing substance use and mental health issues connected to military service. The goal is rehabilitation — not punishment — and returning healthy, law-abiding veterans to the community.
- Washington County resident (neighboring counties considered case-by-case)
- Veteran with an Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions Discharge
- Eligible for VA Healthcare and/or other health insurance (OHP or private)
- Moderate to high clinical need for substance use or mental health treatment
- Criminal conduct linked to military trauma or injury
Most misdemeanors, Class C felonies, felony drug possession, and felony property crimes are eligible. Other felonies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis with public safety in mind, including:
- Firearm-related crimes
- Class A and B violent felony property crimes
- Drug delivery crimes
- DUII diversion eligible or first DUII conviction (second DUII and above may be considered)
- Active-duty military personnel
- Pending 1st or 2nd degree Sex Offenses
- Level 2 or Level 3 registered sex offenders
Likely disqualifiers reviewed case-by-case: pending sex crimes, crimes involving firearms, child physical abuse, commercial drug offenses, stalking, prior sex crime convictions.
If you are a veteran facing criminal charges in Washington County, Casey Kovacic can evaluate your eligibility for VTC and advocate for your entry into the program from the very start of your case.
Treatment & Recovery Courts
Washington County’s Drug,
Mental Health & Family Courts
Washington County operates multiple specialty courts focused on rehabilitation, recovery, and keeping families intact. Understanding which program fits your situation — and building the strongest possible application — can mean the difference between prison and a path forward.
Adult Recovery Court (ARC)
ARC is Washington County’s intensive program for seriously drug-involved offenders who are facing a prison sentence and have previously been unable to complete drug treatment. Eligible defendants plead guilty, are placed on probation, and complete an extensive treatment program rather than serving time. The program is a collaborative effort between the Circuit Court, DA’s Office, Community Corrections, the Sheriff’s Office, DHHS, the defense bar, and local treatment providers.
Participants must reside in or have significant connections to Washington County and be supervised by Washington County Community Corrections.
Presumptively Eligible
- Non-person Class C felony with presumptive DOC sentence over one year
- Probation revoked with prospect of DOC sentence over one year
Not Eligible (Key Bars)
- Measure 11 offenses
- Person crime offenses (OAR 213-003-0001)
- DUII; cases involving controlled substances to minors
- Gang-associated defendants; firearm charges
- Prior sex offenses; prior felony firearm convictions
Integrative Re-Entry Intensive Supervision Services (IRISS)
IRISS is funded through Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative and targets non-violent drug and property crime offenders. Rather than prison, participants receive treatment from local providers and enhanced community supervision designed to address behavioral health, housing, and employment challenges.
Applications are reviewed by a JRI team that evaluates the circumstances of each case, including criminal history, past treatment participation, community safety, and amenability to supervision. The same presumptive eligibility and exclusion criteria as ARC apply. Participants must reside in or have significant connections to Washington County.
IRISS, ARC, and FSAP share a common application process — a team of evaluators determines which specialty court is the best fit for each applicant.
Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program (FSAP)
FSAP is similar to IRISS but with a critical distinction: it is specifically designed for parents of children under 18. The program’s mission is to divert parents from prison in order to preserve family unity and prevent children from entering foster care.
Like IRISS, FSAP is funded through Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative and targets non-violent drug and property crime offenders who face a presumptive prison sentence. The same eligibility and exclusion criteria apply, and participants must have significant connections to Washington County.
If you are a parent facing felony charges, FSAP may allow you to remain present in your children’s lives while completing treatment and supervision requirements. Casey can assess your eligibility and advocate for FSAP placement from the start.
Mental Health Court
Washington County’s Mental Health Court is a post-conviction program for non-violent offenders diagnosed with a mental illness. The court is a collaborative effort bringing together the judiciary, DA’s office, public defender, community corrections, the sheriff’s office, Washington County Adult and Mental Health Services, and mental health specialists.
The program’s goal is to help participants successfully complete probation by connecting them with mental health treatment, drug and alcohol services, and supervision conditions — including restitution, community service, and positive engagement in work or school. The court handles between 20 and 30 defendants and screens candidates on an ongoing basis.
Oregon Drug Deflection & Conditional Discharge Program
Enacted under HB 4002 and 5204 (2024), Oregon’s Drug Intervention Plan offers multiple pathways for qualifying individuals to engage in treatment instead of the traditional criminal process. Washington County operates two primary tracks:
Deflection (Pre-Court)
Allows eligible persons cited or arrested for qualifying charges to avoid prosecution entirely — without going to court — by successfully engaging in recommended substance use treatment. Operated in partnership with Washington County DHHS, Community Corrections, law enforcement, and BHRN providers.
Conditional Discharge (Court Diversion)
Allows eligible persons to participate in the court process and avoid a criminal conviction by successfully engaging in substance use treatment. Primarily administered by Washington County Community Corrections.
The law in this area changed significantly in 2024. Casey stays current on all available drug diversion options and will advise you on the best pathway for your situation.
Why It Matters
What Casey Brings to Your
Washington County Case
Procedural Expertise
Deep knowledge of Washington County’s local court rules, filing deadlines, documentation requirements, and how the DA’s office operates — knowledge that only comes from years of practice here.
Courtroom Advocacy
Casey has litigated thousands of cases in circuit and municipal courts across Oregon. He represents clients at jury and bench trials, motion hearings, arraignments, pretrial conferences, and probation violation hearings.
One Block Away
Casey’s office is located one block from the Washington County Courthouse and two blocks from the Washington County Jail. That proximity means faster response, courthouse familiarity, and no wasted time.
100% Criminal Defense
Casey does one thing only — criminal defense. He is not splitting focus between family law, personal injury, or real estate. Every case he takes gets his full, undivided attention.
Direct Access to Your Attorney
You work directly with Casey — not a paralegal, not a junior associate. He reviews your case personally, explains your options clearly, and stays accessible throughout the entire process.
8 Years as a Public Defender
Before entering private practice, Casey spent eight years handling Washington County and Multnomah cases at Metropolitan Public Defender Services — including five years on major felony and Measure 11 cases. He knows how prosecutors think.
Courts Casey Appears In
Washington County
Courts & Jurisdictions
Washington County Circuit Court
Located in Hillsboro. Handles felony and misdemeanor cases for all cities within Washington County.
Beaverton Municipal Court
Handles misdemeanor and traffic cases — including first-time DUI arrests occurring in Beaverton city limits.
Hillsboro Municipal Court
Handles city ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors occurring within Hillsboro city limits.
Forest Grove Municipal Court
Handles violations and misdemeanor matters for Forest Grove and surrounding western Washington County areas.
Charged in Washington County?
Talk to Casey Today.
Consultations are confidential. Casey will personally review your situation and explain your options — with no surprises on fees.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street · Hillsboro, OR 97124 · One Block from the Courthouse