Montgomery special courts receive final certification

Specialized dockets divert offenders toward initiatives.

Two Montgomery County special courts have received final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Women’s Therapeutic Court and Veterans Treatment Court earned the designation from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court administrators.

Specialized dockets are courts dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable.

There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio dealing with drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence and human trafficking.

The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.

Montgomery County’s Veterans Treatment Court con- sists of a team of probation officers, treatment providers from the Veterans Administration, veteran mentors and court personnel that seek to guide veterans toward recovery from substance abuse and addiction.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated the Women’s Therapeutic Court and Judge Mary Wiseman for receiving final certification.

“Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society,” O’Connor said. “Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars.”