Why Specialized Courts Are a Good Idea Specialized courts are a good idea since they attempt to solve problems rather than simply run defendants through the system. These problems can be created by the criminal justice system such as large caseloads, growing jail and prison populations, and decreased public confidence.

These courts are different from the traditional criminal court in that they have specialized dockets, create a collaborative relationship between traditional court actors and outside organizations, and attempt to solve social problems rather than focus only on adjudicating cases.

Since the late 1980s, a new type of “special court” has emerged in the United States. These are problem solving courts that aim to provide treatment instead of punishment – attempting to reduce future contacts with the criminal justice system.

traditional court means a body which, in a particular locality, is recognised as having the power to resolve disputes in accordance with local customs, cultural or ethnic values, religious norms or tradition.

Traditional courts exist and they are used by millions of people to resolve disputes according to customary law in a manner which should promote justice. They provide communities with dispute resolution mechanisms and focus on the implementation of restorative justice.

Probationers are required to participate in an outpatient comprehensive drug treatment program, and their progress is monitored by the judge. The drug court emphasizes individual accountability through a system of rewards and sanctions.

Drug courts usually employ a multiphased treatment process, generally divided into a stabilization phase, an intensive treatment phase, and a transition phase. The stabilization phase may include a period of AOD detoxification, initial treatment assessment, education, and screening for other needs.

Jail sanction means the imposition of a term of incarceration in a county jail in response to a defendant’s misbehavior or probation violations. Imposition of a jail sanction does not require, or imply, the termination of drug treatment.

Drug courts are specialized court docket programs that target criminal defendants and offenders, juvenile offenders, and parents with pending child welfare cases who have alcohol and other drug dependency problems. Find a drug court using the National Drug Court Resource Center’s database .

Based on several retrospective and quasi-experimental studies, it appears that drug courts are accomplishing most of their goals. Graduates have lower rates of recidivism and substance use, and the treatment is far more cost effective than incarceration.

“There are generally two models for drug courts: deferred prosecution programs and post-adjudication programs.

In 2000, New South Wales commenced operation of a Youth Drug and Alcohol Court, which functions under the control of the Children’s Court. It aims to provide an integrated case management approach to prevent re-offending and includes treatment and assistance with health and education needs.

The Drug Court in New South Wales attempts to address the issues underlying drug dependency which result in criminal offences being committed. It aims to promote re-integration into the community and to reduce criminal activity resulting from drug dependency.

Drug courts emphasize a cooperative approach between the prosecutor, defendant and court, and they favor rehabilitation over jail. Successful completion of drug court programs can result in reduced charges or sentences, or dismissal of charges altogether.

These charges are handled entirely at the district court level. When harder drugs, or manufacture and delivery charges push the issue into the felony category, things become more complicated. The district court is still responsible for the beginning stages of a felony criminal case.

Drug courts help participants recover from addiction and prevent future criminal activity while also reducing the burden and costs of repeatedly processing low‐level, non‐violent offenders through the Nation’s courts, jails, and prisons.

Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing. The mission of drug courts is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related criminal activity. Drug courts promote recovery through a coordinated response to offenders dependent on alcohol and other drugs.

In an unprecedented longitudinal study that accumulated recidivism and cost analyses of drug court cohorts over 10 years, NIJ researchers found that drug courts may lower recidivism rates (re-arrests) and significantly lower costs.

To be fair, much of what ails drug courts is a product of larger, structural failures in the U.S. criminal justice and health care systems: the criminalization and routinely severe punishment of drug possession, the lack of health insurance and other ways to pay for quality care, the wariness of prosecutors who fear …