Drug treatment court resources

Essential Resources for Drug Treatment Courts: A Comprehensive Guide

I am often asked to provide basic drug treatment court information. I think the following 15 resources are the backbone of any drug treatment court initiative. I would advise each team member to read and be prepared to discuss the materials in order to make good choices on issues such as entrance criteria, phase advancement,
older driver safety

Older Driver Safety: Simple Tools That Save Lives

The Baby Boomers are yet again changing business as usual. There are now both low tech and high tech programs and devices that help with older driver safety and senior health issues who are involved in a vehicle crash or suffering a medical emergency. Yellow Dot Responding to an aging population and older driver safety
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Mediators in Family Law

Judicial Decisions and Mediators in Family Law

Psychology plays a significant role in family law cases, but is it always scientifically valid? Many custody decisions rely on mediators’ recommendations, often based on subjective assessments. This episode explores the impact of psychological evaluations, potential biases, and the need for stronger legal and scientific scrutiny in family law courts.
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lawyers as peacemakers

Lawyers as Peacemakers: Reflections from South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa I recently had the honor to attend and speak at the “Lawyers as Peacemakers” conference in Pretoria, South Africa. Sponsored by the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (IDRA) at the University of South Africa College of Law, the gathering explored therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) and its practical application to various issues. The
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texting and driving dangers

Texting and Driving Dangers Surpass Drunk Driving Risks

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) driving while distracted is six times more dangerous than driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 yet it is a continuing problem. In recent surveys “…more than eight in ten drivers believed it was completely unacceptable for a motorist to text or email behind the
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alcoholism among seniors

Alcoholism Among Seniors: Confronting a Hidden Epidemic

The American Medical Association called it a “hidden epidemic.” The National Institute of Health says it is “[o]ne of the fastest growing health problems facing” the United States. What is it? Alcoholism among seniors. There are more hospital admissions for alcohol related issues than for heart attacks among the elderly. Baby Boomers and Alcohol About
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Marijuana and the Justice System

The Impact of Marijuana Laws on the Justice System

Judges Peggy Hora and Mary Celeste discuss how evolving marijuana laws are affecting the justice system, from impaired driving cases to legal challenges in court.
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Medical marijuana benefits

Medical Marijuana: Are There Any Benefits?

Every day more and more reports, research and articles are released that address the question of whether there are truly benefits to medical marijuana. So far the science is conflicting…some say yes…some say no. Unfortunately marijuana has not been thoroughly studied by scientists and the DEA until the last 5 or so years in earnest.
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Judicial Ethics in Problem-Solving Courts

Judicial Ethics in Problem-Solving Courts: Staying Impartial

Judges in problem-solving courts face unique ethical challenges. From ex parte communications to sentencing failed participants, this episode explores key concerns and best practices.
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Tough on Crime is Not Smart on Crime.

The shibboleth ‘tough on crime’ is one politicians find quite appealing. The problem is that being tough – without being smart and effective – makes the community less safe and also costs money better spent on other services that have been squeezed dry by the global financial crisis. California, for example, enacted the toughest ‘three
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