Veterans Treatment Court mentors play a vital role by providing peer support to justice-involved veterans. This blog explores their responsibilities, boundaries, and qualifications, distinguishing them from court staff and treatment professionals while highlighting how strong mentor relationships help participants succeed in treatment, sobriety, and community reintegration.
May is National Drug Court Awareness Month. This blog explores the evolution of Drug Treatment Courts into Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs), how they address justice-involved veterans' unique needs, and their role in reducing recidivism. VTCs foster recovery through team-based approaches that connect veterans to VA services and supportive interventions.
Effective alcohol testing for impaired drivers is a cornerstone of evidence-based supervision. This blog explores why testing matters, how to identify client needs, and how to implement best practices using technologies like IIDs and PAMs. When done right, testing is about support, accountability, and long-term change.
Justice is more than a government title—it’s a personal mission. This blog explores how every person can serve as a “Minister of Justice” by promoting fairness, respect, and integrity in their daily interactions. Discover the transformative power of empathy and equity in building a more just society for all.
This blog explores the surprising history of video jury trials, beginning with a 1971 Ohio case and extending to modern Zoom proceedings. It examines juror reactions, the civil vs. criminal debate, and how courts are adapting to pandemic-era challenges—proving that what’s old may be new again in the justice system.
The Daubert standard reshaped judicial roles as gatekeepers of scientific evidence, yet its application remains inconsistent. While civil courts apply rigorous scrutiny, criminal courts often admit unreliable forensic evidence. Judges must correct this imbalance to ensure justice. The Science Bench Book for Judges offers guidance to navigate this critical issue.
-
The Future of Community Supervision: A Conversation with Nebraska Probation Administrator Gene Cotter
In this episode of Justice Speaks, Gene Cotter,... -
Professional Accountability: The Most Important AI Guardrail for Lawyers and Courts
A federal judge removed four attorneys from a c... -
Dr. Carmen Gomez on Probation Leadership and Community Supervision
Dr. Carmen Gomez joins Justice Speaks to discus...
