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By Alyssa Smith, CFCC Student Fellow, Fall 2020<\/p>\n
Problem-solving courts are specialized dockets, usually within the criminal justice system, that seek to address the underlying problem(s) contributing to certain criminal offenses.[1]<\/a> Generally, a problem-solving court involves a close collaboration among a judge(s), attorney(s), advocates, and a community service team to develop a case plan and closely monitor a defendant\u2019s compliance, imposing proper sanctions when necessary.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n Veterans Treatment\u00a0Courts\u00a0are an example of these specialized\u00a0courts\u00a0based on a \u201cproblem\u00a0solving\u201d model.\u00a0They are similar to drug treatment, mental health, or domestic violence\u00a0courts, and they are intended to serve veterans struggling with chemical dependency, brain trauma, and serious mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[3]<\/a> These courts not only address the underlying problems that often cause veterans to commit offenses, but they also do that in a way that provides help in the specific manner veterans need.\u00a0 Problem-solving courts are non-adversarial in nature, and the ultimate goal is to provide supports to the defendant to prevent re-offending.<\/p>\n Why aren\u2019t we doing more for juveniles involved with the juvenile justice system? While certain drug treatment courts include juveniles in the program, the challenges facing youth in America who are already entangled in the juvenile justice system are particularly unique. These distinct challenges require unique solutions. Michigan\u2019s Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP) is an example of a program that is helping juvenile respondents. The Adolescent Diversion Project from the University of Michigan is a strengths-based, university-led program that diverts arrested youth from formal processing in the juvenile justice system and provides them with community-based services.[4]<\/a> The National Institute of Justice has rated this program as \u201cEffective,\u201d meaning the program has undergone an eight-step review and evidence-rating process and has been found to achieve its overall purpose. \u00a0ADP\u2019s goal is to \u201cprevent future delinquency by strengthening youth\u2019s attachment to family and other prosocial individuals, increasing youth\u2019s access to resources in the community, and keeping youth from potentially stigmatizing social contexts (such as the juvenile justice system).\u201d\u00a0 Children and young adults across America deserve our help in getting and staying out of the justice system. Expanding problem-solving courts for juveniles, including programs such as ADP, would assist youth who have become entangled in the justice system and would afford juvenile offenders the second chance they deserve.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> National Center For State Courts (https:\/\/www.ncsc.org\/topics\/alternative-dockets\/problem-solving-courts\/home#:~:text=Problem%2Dsolving%20courts%20are%20specialized,contributing%20to%20certain%20criminal%20offenses<\/a>.) Last visited Oct. 27, 2020.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Id<\/em>.<\/p>\n