Treatment courts save lives and strengthen communities

For three decades, there has been a growing movement to transform the way the justice system responds to substance use and mental health disorders. Rather than continuing the revolving door of addiction and related crime, treatment courts break the cycle by holding individuals accountable while connecting them with the treatment and support needed to change their lives.

This approach is no longer an experiment; more than 4,000 treatment courts across the nation have proven to be the most successful justice intervention in our nation’s history.

May is National Treatment Court Month and the perfect opportunity to shed light on how this approach is saving lives and making our community safer.

The Second Judicial District Court (SJDC) has seven specialty court programs, serving more than 750 participants each year.

The Adult Drug Court was the first Specialty Court in the Second Judicial District Court’s general jurisdiction division.

Established in 1995, it was designed to engage the criminal offender, who is diagnosed with a substance use disorder in an intensive therapeutic and judicial intervention. The SJDC now provides the following unique specialty courts: Adult Drug Court, Felony Driving Under the Influence Court, Medication-Assisted Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Prison Reentry Court, Veterans Treatment Court and Young Offender Court.

These treatment courts differ from traditional courts by including treatment providers and other public health

Chief Judge Lynne Jones professionals into a team concept spearheaded by a judge.

“Each participant receives an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan, and works together with the presiding judge, court coordinators, defense attorneys, prosecutors, treatment providers, career and employment consultants, and probation officers to provide ongoing recovery, treatment and program support and accountability. Successful participants become employed, pay restitution, fees and complete rigorous counseling and testing. Our participants leave the criminal justice system to lead stable lives in continued recovery with regained hope and opportunities,” said Chief Judge Lynne Jones, presiding judge over the Young Offender Court.

This approach allows our treatment courts to identify and meet individual needs beyond clinical treatment, such as education, employment, housing assistance, family reunification, restitution and health care.