Mentorship: Over the course of 12 years, Judge Rebar has provided mentorship to those in need and/or those lacking adult role models. The program is a supplement to court proceedings and often times involves victims of crime, or others who are ancillary to court proceedings. Judge Rebar’s court has become a resource to those who lack support externally and Judge Rebar has used her time to help those needing guidance. Further, Judge Rebar has identified other community mentors to whom she refers individuals for additional support and guidance. The goal is to provide resources to those who may not otherwise have resources and guidance to help set and achieve goals for success. Often those who feel supported do not then go on to commit more crimes.

Community Service Program: Judge Rebar provides community service program alternatives to certain summary offense matters with the cooperation of the various police agencies, local community service programs, and the participants. The idea is to serve the local community in a way that demonstrates understanding and accountability for the matter before the court as an alternative to prosecution.

Driver’s Restoration Program: Judge Rebar has significant experience in license restoration which she utilizes to help those who appear in her court achieve restoration of their driver’s license. The program participants range from eligible drivers who had omitted administrative steps in the license restoration process, to those with indefinite or lengthy license suspensions stemming from prior infractions. Judge Rebar assigns alternative education and license review to those qualified participants and works with them, sometimes over the period of years, to earn a valid driver’s license.

Recognizing that a valid driver’s licenses is a critical component of one’s ability to earn a living, provide child-care, and contribute positively to the community at large, Judge Rebar prioritizes license return over punishment and has participants enter into an agreed upon plan of driving abstinence with rehabilitative work to restore driver’s licensing privileges. Thousands of participants have successfully completed her program.

Under-Age Drinking Program: Individuals with a first-time underage drinking citation can qualify for a unique program offered by Judge Rebar wherein participants undergo education on the legal drinking age, the serious implications of underage drinking, the effects of alcohol on the body’s systems and the risks of consumption of alcohol while under-age. The program also educates on the dangers which present themselves to all individuals consuming alcohol. The program illustrates that the majority of college incidents garnering negative national attention involve at some level the consumption of alcohol. Further, participants recognize and acknowledge that there are many risks associated with under-age drinking exerted from third-parties or external forces. The goal of the program is to teach responsibility and enhance understanding of the various circumstances which could adversely affect the individual’s life resulting from alcohol consumption underage.

DEAP: Together with Lower Providence Township Police Department, Judge Rebar established the Drug Education Alternative Program (DEAP). The program is the only one of its kind in Montgomery County and was established as an initiative of Judge Rebar and the Lower Providence Township Police Department. The DEAP program was adopted and approved by Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and is run exclusively with Judge Rebar’s Court.

The unique program provides an alternative to criminal charges for first time drug offenders. Participants are selected at the time of police contact and are offered as an alternative to arrest and prosecution a rigorous program focused on drug education. The program has successfully graduated many participants with excellent results.

Night Court: Immediately upon taking office, Judge Rebar initiated a night court program to accommodate those who work during the day. Night court is held one night a month, each month and generally involves traffic citations, though it can and has included criminal and civil matters where necessary and appropriate. This accommodation has been a benefit to the community in many ways. First, it allows individuals to avoid using days off to attend court; and second, it accommodates the Commonwealth in scheduling to avoid unnecessary overtime. Judge Rebar is currently the only Court in Montgomery County which hosts a night court program.

Remote Telecommunications: While COVID has forced most of the County to proceed virtually, Judge Rebar sought and received approval 11 years ago to conduct remote arraignments using alternative telecommunication means. The purpose of the remote telecommunication approach was and is to reduce unnecessary prison transport, allow easier and quicker access to the Court and to avoid unnecessary overtime by police agencies. Until recently the County utilized expensive and fixed electronic video arraignment systems, which were locked into the physical courtroom and to a set physical location at the arraignment site. It also required the agency to have the same access. Utilizing alternative telecommunication services reduced transmission difficulties with the antiquated systems in place at the time, allowed prison staff and police agencies to bring the telecommunication device to the detainee and reduced physical contact between law enforcement and the detained individual, which ultimate reduced risk to all parties involved. The process also allowed arraignments to proceed more quickly, particularly after Court hours which reduced arraignment wait time and necessitated overtime. Since Judge Rebar initiated alternative remote telecommunications, the County discontinued its use of the older static video arraignment equipment which was costly to maintain and has now moved to a new platform more consistent with the model which was pioneered by Judge Rebar.

Supported Montgomery County Alternative Courts: Many individuals enter the criminal justice process with underlying mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. In an effort to help those individuals address those issues, Montgomery County offers other community-based treatment entities to assist, including veterans, in accessing services that will help them address those underlying issues. Judge Rebar has consistently identified and referred individuals to those alternative Courts over the past 12 years. While the alternative Courts exist, individual Magisterial District Judges must be aware of the Alternative Court parameters and educate themselves on the qualifications for admission. In addition to maintaining awareness and engaging the individual in discussion to ascertain whether such alternative Court would be appropriate, the Magisterial District Judge must also identify the matter for submission and make the referral. Judge Rebar has been a strong advocate of the County run, Behavioral Health, Drug and Veteran’s Alternative Courts and has aided many individuals in obtaining the alternatives they need to avoid further involvement in the criminal justice system and live more productive lives.

A link to the County administered Alternative Courts is below:
https://www.montcopa.org/2528/Alternative-Courts