Which of the following is the most popular type of problem solving court in the United States?

The New York State Unified Court System serves the needs of approximately 19,750,000 people, the fourth-largest state population in the nation. Our 1,200 state judges, 2,400 town and village judges and 15,500 non-judicial employees work in over 300 state courts and 1,300 town and village courts spread throughout 62 counties in 13 judicial districts and hear 3,500,000 filings.

To meet the challenges of such a large system, more than two decades ago, the New York State Unified Court System began to establish problem-solving courts. These courts help judges and court staff to better respond to the needs of litigants and the community. Problem-solving courts look to the underlying issues that bring people into the court system, and employ innovative approaches to address those issues. Through intensive judicial monitoring, coordination with outside services, treatment where appropriate, the removal of barriers between courts and increased communication with stakeholders, these courts are able to change the way our system manages cases and responds to individuals, families and communities.

Problem-solving courts take different forms depending on the problems they are designed to address. Drug and mental health courts focus on treatment and rehabilitation. Community courts combine treatment, community responsibility, accountability, and support to both litigants and victims. Sex offense courts employ judicial monitoring and the use of mandated programs and probation to ensure compliance and facilitate access to services. Human trafficking courts center around victims and many cases are resolved without criminal charges. The Adolescent Diversion parts address the unique needs of adolescents in the criminal justice system.

The Unified Court System is committed to the administration of justice in the problem-solving courts, while enhancing public safety.

For further information on Problem-Solving Courts or if you would like to schedule a court visit, please contact the Division of Policy and Planning at

Overview

Problem-solving courts are innovative criminal justice programs that seek rehabilitation over incarceration. The goal is to treat the underlying issues that lead to criminal behaviors, which have proven resistant to conventional solutions. The foundation of problem-solving courts is close collaboration between agencies in a non-adversarial approach. The programs focus on accountability and responsibility by requiring frequent court appearances, random drug and alcohol testing, community supervision, and an individualized treatment plan along with other specific program requirements. The teams utilize timely incentives and sanctions to facilitate behavior change along with treatment responses. Problem-solving courts strive to stop the revolving-door of the justice system by treating underlying issues and therefore decreasing cost and recidivism.

History

The first drug court was started in Dade County, Florida, in 1989. To address the problem of over-incarceration, the court began sentencing drug-addicted offenders to drug court versus jail or prison. This innovative justice model led to specialized courts across the country, including domestic violence and mental health courts. Today, there are over 3,000 problem-solving courts in the United States, as they have become one of the justice system’s most successful and resilient innovations.

The first drug court in Colorado began in Denver in 1994. As of June 2019, there were 74 problem-solving courts in operation in 20 judicial districts in the State of Colorado. The 5th Judicial District currently has four problem solving courts: Eagle County Recovery Court (adult drug court), Summit County Recovery Court (adult drug court), Lake County Sobriety Court (DUI), and Eagle County R.I.S.E. Court (DUI).

Best Practice Standards

In order to ensure the 5th Judicial District's problem-solving courts operate efficiently and effectively for participants and the community, the following standards are set forth by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).

I. Target Population
Eligibility and exclusion criteria for the Drug Court are predicated on empirical evidence indicating which types of offenders can be treated safely and effectively in Drug Courts. Candidates are evaluated for admission to the Drug Court using evidence-based assessment tools and procedures.

II. Historically Disadvantaged Groups
Citizens who have historically experienced sustained discrimination or reduced social opportunities because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, physical or mental disability, religion, or socioeconomic status receive the same opportunities as other citizens to participate and succeed in the Drug Court.

III. Roles and Responsibilities of the Judge
The Drug Court judge stays abreast of current law and research on best practices in Drug Courts, participates regularly in team meetings, interacts frequently and respectfully with participants, and gives due consideration to the input of other team members.

IV. Incentives, Sanctions, and Therapeutic Adjustments
Consequences for participants’ behavior are predictable, fair, consistent, and administered in accordance with evidence-based principles of effective behavior modification.

V. Substance Abuse Treatment
Participants receive substance abuse treatment based on a standardized assessment of their treatment needs. Substance abuse treatment is not provided to reward desired behaviors, punish infractions, or serve other non-clinically indicated goals. Treatment providers are trained and supervised to deliver a continuum of evidence-based interventions that are documented in treatment manuals.

VI. Complementary Treatment and Social Services

Participants receive complementary treatment and social services for conditions that co-occur with substance abuse and are likely to interfere with their compliance in Drug Court, increase criminal recidivism, or diminish treatment gains.

VII. Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drug and alcohol testing provide an accurate, timely, and comprehensive assessment of unauthorized substance use throughout participants’ enrollment in the Drug Court.

VIII. Multidisciplinary Team

A dedicated multidisciplinary team of professionals manages the day-to-day operations of the Drug Court, including reviewing participant progress during pre-court staff meetings and status hearings, contributing observations and recommendations within team members’ respective areas of expertise, and delivering or overseeing the delivery of legal, treatment and supervision services.

IX. Census and Caseloads

The Drug Court serves as many eligible individuals as practicable while maintaining continuous fidelity to best practice standards.

X. Monitoring and Evaluation

The Drug Court routinely monitors its adherence to best practice standards and employs scientifically valid and reliable procedures to evaluate its effectiveness.

Click on the links below for more information on the 5th Judicial District's problem solving courts:

Eagle County Recovery Court (adult drug court)

Summit County Recovery Court (adult drug court)

Lake County Sobriety Court (DUI)

Eagle County R.I.S.E. Court (DUI)

For more information on the 5th Judicial District's Problem Solving Courts, please contact:

Lisa Morton, 5th JD Problem Solving Court Coordinator:

(719) 293-8111 (phone)

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Please click this ICON to access the 5th Judicial District's virtual courtrooms.

Click Here for Virtual Courtrooms

PLEASE CONTACT THE COURT OF RECORD REGARDING YOUR CASE.

PLEASE SEE THE ORDERS BELOW ON COURT OPERATIONS RELATED TO COVID-19:

Administrative Order regarding Face Coverings and related COVID-19 Restrictions – March 7, 2022

Rule Change 2020 – Rule 43 – November 16, 2020

Admin Order Regarding Jurors – 2020-101 – March 13, 2020

All probation offices in the 5th Judicial District are open to the public Monday-Friday.

We encourage clients to call to schedule appointments as much as possible. If you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms, please contact probation to reschedule.

Todas las oficinas de Libertad Condicional del Quinto Distrito Judicial están abiertas al público de lunes a viernes.

Le pedimos a los clientes que por favor llamen para programar una cita previa siempre que les sea posible. Si usted estuviera enfermo con síntomas de coronavirus, por favor póngase en contacto con la oficina de Libertad Condicional para reprogramar su cita.

Contact the Managing Court Interpreter for the 5th Judicial District, Carolina Martin-Childers, to request an interpreter.

To request an interpreter, please call (970) 328-8561 with your name, date of your appearance, and your case number; or in an email provide the above information to

Se ofrecen servicios de interpretación. Favor de llamar al (970) 328-8561 indicando su nobre, la fecha de su comparecencia, y su número de caso. Por corrreo electronico a