Concepts in Problem Solving Courts Archives - Justice Speakers Institute

Therapeutic Justice: Enhancing the Judge’s Role

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Therapeutic justice redefines the judge’s role from neutral arbiter to active facilitator of change. This approach promotes individualized justice, community collaboration, and systemic reform through problem-solving courts. By embracing these principles, judges help transform lives while strengthening public confidence in the court system.

Published in Law, Procedural Justice, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Tagged under: •, community engagement, Criminal Justice Reform, Judicial leadership, Problem-Solving Courts

Therapeutic Jurisprudence: Insights from Professor David Wexler

Thursday, 30 March 2023 by Justice Speakers Institute

Professor David Wexler discusses his journey, the creation of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, its global influence, and its integration into justice systems worldwide.

Published in Podcast, Procedural Justice, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Tagged under: Procedural Fairness, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Who Is a Veteran? Understanding Military Status for VTCs

Tuesday, 08 November 2022 by James Starks, Jr., Ed.D., MHR

This article highlights some anomalies and possible challenges Veteran Treatment Courts should understand and address, when it comes to Mentor Coordinator and volunteer mentor recruitment.

Published in Concepts in Problem Solving Courts, Veterans Courts

Tagged under: Military Mentorship, Treatment Courts, Veterans Day, Veterans Treatment Courts, VTC Leadership, Who is a vetera, Who is a veteran

Community Supervision: An Essential Part of Treatment Courts

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 by Justice Speakers Institute

By: Helen Harberts, Guest Author Persons suffering from substance use disorders do not just suffer during government hours! Indeed, they often suffer more when they are not receiving treatment and attention from the team. Recovery is difficult and it takes a long time. Supervision works in the community, not just in the Court or the

Published in Concepts in Problem Solving Courts, Problem Solving Courts

Incentives In Your Treatment Courts: Are You Focused On The Right Thing?

Tuesday, 29 May 2018 by Justice Speakers Institute

By: Helen Harberts, Guest Author Most treatment courts are well aware of the importance of responding to participant behavior in a swift and certain manner. Reliable detection of good behavior and undesired behavior, with rapid responses, is the most effective form of behavior modification in the treatment court population. Most treatment courts know that severity

Published in Incentives and Sanctions in Treatment Courts, Problem Solving Courts

Tagged under: Incentives, Sanctions, Treatment Courts

Therapeutic Justice: Integrating Law and Well-Being in Courts

Tuesday, 28 March 2017 by Justice Speakers Institute

Guest Authors ARIE FREIBERG, Emeritus Professor of Law, Monash UniversityDr BECKY BATAGOL, Senior Lecturer in Law, Monash UniversityBoth Co-Authors Non-Adversarial Justice, 2nd ed, 2014 The Australian published an opinion piece in which Jennifer Oriel argued that that ‘activist judges’ are usurping the role of parliament in promoting non-adversarial justice, therapeutic jurisprudence and restorative justice. The piece is

Published in Drug Courts, Law, Problem Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

The Judge’s Role in Justice: Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Action

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

Few would argue that the judge is the most influential person in the courtroom. From increasing positive drug treatment court outcomes to choosing a fair and representative jury, judges cannot only affect the actual outcomes of legal disputes but they overwhelming set the stage for the perception of fairness and justice. Using Therapeutic Jurisprudence in

Published in Law, Problem Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Tagged under: David Wexler, Michael Potticelli, Office of National Drug Control Policy, ONDCP, Tom Tyler

Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Impaired Driving Law

Tuesday, 19 July 2016 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

Driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol or other drugs is an international problem. Far too many people lose their lives, are injured or injure others while engaging in this totally preventable crime. Some countries have a stronger ethic about not drinking and driving than others but it is a widespread issue in all parts of

Published in Impaired Driving, Law, Problem Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Structuring Success: Phases in Drug/DWI Courts

Tuesday, 05 July 2016 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

Why have phases? Virtually all adult Drug Courts and DWI Courts have phases to provide structure for the program and recognize benchmarks along the way to graduation. Drug/DWI Courts tend to be long, rigorous programs, lasting one to two years. Giving the program structure gives the participant bite size pieces to tear off and digest.

Published in Concepts in Problem Solving Courts, Drug Courts, DWI Courts, Problem Solving Courts

Tagged under: NADCP, NCDC, NDCI

Lawyers as Peacemakers: Reflections from South Africa

Tuesday, 03 November 2015 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

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

Published in Concepts in Problem Solving Courts, Law, Problem Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Tagged under: Global