Main category for all problem solving courts and topics involving those programs.

Therapeutic justice

Therapeutic Justice: Integrating Law and Well-Being in Courts

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
Therapeutic Jurisprudence

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

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
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Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Impaired Driving Law

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
Phases in Drug Courts

Structuring Success: Phases in Drug/DWI Courts

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.
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Understanding Addiction

Understanding Addiction: A Prosecutor’s Perspective

Over thirty years ago, I walked into a courtroom located in Eaton County, Michigan. I was a new assistant prosecuting attorney (APA) eager to start doing jury trials, to make my community a safer place. I became an APA because I believe that holding people accountable for their actions will make the world a better
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Baby addict myth

The Baby Addict Myth: Debunking Misinformation About Neonatal Exposure

In the 1980s and 1990s it was “crack babies.” Now it’s babies born “addicted to opiates.” We’ve spent 30 years trying to debunk the baby addict myth; that newborns can be born “addicted.” However, the misinformation continues with current headlines like “Life begins with agony of withdrawal for opiate-addicted babies.” Over ten years ago 30
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,
Veterans Treatment Courts

Veterans Treatment Courts: Honoring Service with Justice

Today is Veterans Day in the United States.  This means we should think, not just about those veterans who have been killed or physically wounded over the last decade and a half  of the wars in the middle east but, also of those veterans who return from those wars suffering from invisible wounds in the form
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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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Combating DWI: Are We Doing Enough to Prevent Impaired Driving?

May 14th, 1988 is a day that will long be remembered by many.  On that day, the deadliest impaired driving crash in U.S. history occurred on Interstate 71 in Carrollton, Kentucky.  An impaired driver in a pickup truck going the wrong way on the interstate hit a church activity bus with 67 passengers.  There were