Specialty Courts

Specialty Courts are problem-solving court sessions that provide court-supervised probation and required treatment. Specialty court use has increased significantly in the last few years throughout the country. These courts focus on substance use disorder (drug courts), mental health issues (mental health courts) and veterans’ issues (veterans treatment courts). Judges in drug court sessions usually require a demanding treatment regimen and accountability. They expect defendants to have a strong personal commitment to take control of their life situations and cut out drug use.

The key parts of an effective drug court program include intensive probation supervision, frequent drug testing, participation in treatment and therapeutic activities, and careful progress monitoring by the drug court judge.