In a few days, weeks, or months, the same person may be picked up on a new charge and the process begins again. The traditional system of justice, designed to resolve legal disputes, is ineffective at addressing substance abuse. The traditional court system is based on an adversarial system that places two differing parties in the courtroom to determine innocence or guilt. It focuses on one problem, the act involved, which is discussed through a process of fact finding. The court provides a forum for testing the evidence presented from the differing perspectives of the involved parties.
Interaction is minimal, and remains hostile throughout the process.
This process is not conducive to dealing with substance abusing behavior that results in criminal actions, and will not result in a change in such behavior without the assistance of service providers. The Fort Peck Community Wellness Court Program returns to a more traditional method of justice for Indian people, by creating an environment that focuses on the problems underlying the criminal behavior than the act itself, and stresses family and community involvement in the healing process. The purpose of the Fort Peck Community Wellness Court is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drug related criminal activity. In exchange for successful completion of the treatment program, the court may 'dismiss the original charge, reduce or set aside a sentence, offer some lesser penalty, or offer a combination of these. This type of court transforms the role of both criminal justice practitioner and substance abuse treatment provider.