Opinion ID: 2829611
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Problem-Solving Courts

Text: i. To identify which of the so-called “problem-solving courts” have demonstrated sufficient utility in terms of improving public safety, the rehabilitation of offenders, and the efficiency of the judicial system to warrant continuation; ii. As to problem-solving courts that are continuing in operation, to develop statewide standards, rules of procedure, and outcome measures to govern their operation and measure their performance. Such statewide standards shall ensure that the problem-solving courts (e.g., Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, and Veterans’ Courts) operate based on the same standards regardless of the county or court in which a case is held, unless there are sound, articulated, and efficient reasons 6 for variation. These standards, rules of procedure, and outcome measures shall be designed to enable any judge of a court, any experienced practitioner, and key agency partners to understand how matters in the problem-solving courts are to be handled and what class of cases and offenders are eligible for inclusion; iii. In identifying and developing the standards for problemsolving courts continuing in operation, the Council shall examine empirical evidence not only from the various approaches used by our courts to date, but also empirical evidence and other research and scholarship from similar efforts in other states; iv. In identifying and developing these standards, the Council shall also seek input from other key partners to ensure that the problem-solving courts operate in a manner that helps other agency partners in doing their critical work efficiently. By way of example, the Council shall consider how the courts should schedule matters before the problem-solving courts in a manner that is efficient for Probation and Parole and treatment providers so that they can make the best use of their scarce time; and v. In identifying and developing these standards, the Council shall also consider, with input from agency partners, how to ensure 7 that the problem-solving courts do not inhibit Probation and Parole’s ability to supervise other defendants effectively or deny other defendants who need rehabilitation resources equitable access.