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Drug Courts

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Drug Courts is a common term for problem-solving courts. Drug Courts represent a shift in the way courts are handling certain offenders and working with key stakeholders in the justice system. In this approach, the court works closely with prosecutors, public defenders, probation officers, social workers, and other justice system partners to develop a strategy that will pressure an offender into completing a treatment program and abstaining from repeating the behaviors that brought them to court.

About Drug Courts

Drug Court strategies include extended probation, frequent appearances before a judge, frequent meetings with probation officers, staggered sentencing that breaks up jail time into segments and allows the participant to "earn" reductions in jail time with good behavior, and regular alcohol and other drug testing.

Research shows that this approach has proven more effective than traditional court strategies at reducing repeat offenses.  This is especially true for certain offenders, such as those having a high recidivism potential.  Drug Courts result in more defendants turning their lives around and becoming healthy, law-abiding citizens. Research also shows that when these strategies are implemented correctly, they improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars.

The following courts fall under the Drug Court umbrella: Adult Drug Courts, DWI Courts, Family Dependency Treatment Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court.

Key Component #1:  Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.

Key Component #2:  Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights.

Key Component #3:  Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.
 
Key Component #4:  Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol and other drug and related treatment and rehabilitation services.
 
Key Component #5:  Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.
 
Key Component #6:  A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance.
 
Key Component #7:  Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.
 
Key Component #8:  Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
 
Key Component #9:  Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
 
Key Component #10:  Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court effectiveness.

Adult Drug Court

8th Judicial District (2014)
Carlton County (2014)
Crow Wing County (2006)
Dakota County (2008)
Hennepin County (1996)
Le Sueur County (2015)
Morrison County (2014)
Olmsted County (2016)
Ramsey County (2002)
Rice County (2014)
Scott County (2016)
St. Louis County - South (2002)
Stearns County (2002)
Steele-Waseca Counties (2014)
Winona County (2012)
Wright County (2016)
 

Multi-County Adult Drug Court

Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties (2007)
Clay-Becker Counties (2008)
Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties (2012)
Southwest Community Drug Court: Lincoln-Lyon-Redwood Counties (2009)
 

Juvenile Drug Court

Brown County (2007)
Dakota County (2005)
 

Family Dependency Treatment Court

Blue Earth County (2008)
Dakota County (2006)
 

DWI Court

Becker County-White Earth Nation (2015)
Beltrami County (2007)
Cass County (2006)
Crow Wing County (2008)
Hennepin County (2007)
Mahnomen County-White Earth Nation (2013)
Norman (2015)
Otter Tail County (2008)
Pennington-Marshall Counties (2012)
Polk (2015)
Ramsey County (2005)
Red Lake (2015)
Roseau-Kittson Counties (2008)
St. Louis County - South (2008)
 

Drug/DWI Hybrid Court

Aitkin County (2006)
Blue Earth County (2005)
Itasca County (2007)
St. Louis County - North (2006)
Wabasha County (2005)
 

Drug/Family Dependency Hybrid

Faribault-Martin-Jackson Counties (2007)
 

Drug/DWI/Family Dependency Hybrid

Dodge County (2003)
Borderland Substance Abuse Court: Koochiching County-Drug/DWI/Family & Lake of the Woods County-Drug/DWI (2005)
 

Veterans Treatment Court

5th Judicial District: Blue Earth-Brown-Faribault-Jackson-Martin-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties (2013)
Anoka County (2016)
Carver County (2014)
Clay-Becker Counties (2014)
Hennepin County (2010)
Ramsey County (2014)
 

Mental Health Court

Hennepin County (2003)
Ramsey County (2005)
St. Louis County-Duluth (2013)

Drug courts are an effective problem-solving approach for dealing with alcohol and other drug addicted offenders in the judicial system.  Drug courts closely monitor the defendant's progress toward sobriety and recovery through ongoing treatment, frequent drug testing, regular mandatory check-in court appearances, and the use of a range of immediate sanctions and incentives to foster behavior change.

In drug court, judges collaborate with other traditional court participants (prosecutors, defense counsel, treatment providers, probation officers, law enforcement, educational and vocational experts, community leaders and others), whose roles have been substantially modified, but not relinquished, in the interest of helping defendants deal with addiction. 

 

Minnesota Drug Court Research & Presentations

The Minnesota Statewide Adult Drug Court Evaluation, a two-and-a-half-year study, compared 644 non-participants to 535 participants from 16 drug court programs covering 23 counties. The two groups were matched on key characteristics including criminal history, chemical dependency status, and key demographics. The study was produced by the Minnesota Judicial Branch State Court Administrator’s Office.
  • Minnesota Statewide Drug Court Evaluation – Follow Up (2014) Report (PDF)
 
  • Minnesota Statewide Drug Court Evaluation (2012)
    Report (PDF), 2-Page Summary
    Appendix of Tables (PDF)
    Minnesota Statewide Drug Court Evaluation Committee Member Directory (PDF)
    Offender Drug Courts Tracking Sheet Template
     
  • Drug Court Team Member Surveys
    2010 
    2009 
    2008
     
  • Drug Court Conference Plenary Part II: Minnesota Statewide Drug Court Evaluation: Overview, Progress, and Preliminary Analysis (2011)
    Minnesota Judicial Branch, State Court Administrator's Office
    Presentation (PowerPoint)
     
  • Use of Cost-Effective Evidence-Based Practices in Minnesota (2011)
    Report

National Drug Court Research & Presentations

  • Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards (2013) – Volume I
 
  • Further Analysis of Best Practices in Drug Courts (2012)
    NDCI Drug Court Review - Volume VIII, Issue 1
     
  • U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report (2012)
    Studies Show Courts Reduce Recidivism, but DOJ Could Enhance Future Performance Measure Revision Efforts
    Report
     
  • Drug Court Conference Plenary Part I: Back to the Future- Best Practices in Drug Courts (2011)
    NPC Research
    Presentation
    Report
     
  • California Drug Court Evaluation (with Cost Benefit) (2006)
    NPC Research
    Report
     
  • U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) Report (2005)
    Evidence Indicates Recidivism Reductions and Mixed Results for Other Outcomes
    Report
A DWI (Driving While Impaired) Court is dedicated to changing the behavior of alcohol and other drug dependant offenders arrested for driving while impaired. The goal of DWI Court is to protect public safety by using the drug court model to address the root cause of impaired driving, alcohol and other drug problems, with the repeat offender as its primary target population.

Guiding Principle #1: Target the Population

Targeting is the process of identifying a subset of the DWI offender population for inclusion in the DWI court program. This is a complex task given that DWI courts, in comparison to traditional drug court programs, accept only one type of offender: the person who drives while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The DWI court target population, therefore, must be clearly defined, with eligibility criteria clearly documented.


Guiding Principle #2: Perform a Clinical Assessment

A clinically competent objective assessment of the impaired-driving offender must address a number of bio-psychosocial domains including alcohol use severity and drug involvement, the level of needed care, medical and mental health status, extent of social support systems, and individual motivation to change. Without clearly identifying a client’s needs, strengths, and resources along each of these important bio-psychosocial domains, the clinician will have considerable difficulty in developing a clinically sound treatment plan.


Guiding Principle #3: Develop the Treatment Plan

Substance dependence is a chronic, relapsing condition that can be effectively treated with the right type and length of treatment regimen. In addition to having a substance abuse problem, a significant proportion of the DWI population also suffers from a variety of co-occurring mental health disorders. Therefore, DWI courts must carefully select and implement treatment practices demonstrated through research to be effective with the hard-core impaired driver to ensure long-term success.
 

Guiding Principle #4: Supervise the Offender

Driving while intoxicated presents a significant danger to the public. Increased supervision and monitoring by the court, probation department, and treatment provider must occur as part of a coordinated strategy to intervene with repeat and high-risk DWI offenders and to protect against future impaired driving.


Guiding Principle #5: Forge Agency, Organization and Community Partnerships

Partnerships are an essential component of the DWI court model as they enhance credibility, bolster support, and broaden available resources. Because the DWI court model is built on and dependent upon a strong team approach, both within the court and beyond, the court should solicit the cooperation of other agencies, as well as community organizations to form a partnership in support of the goals of the DWI court program.


Guiding Principle #6: Take a Judicial Leadership Role

Judges are a vital part of the DWI court team. As leader of this team, the judge’s role is paramount to the success of the Drug court program. The judge must also possess recognizable leadership skills as well as the capability to motivate team members and elicit buy-in from various stakeholders. The selection of the judge to lead the DWI court team, therefore, is of utmost importance.


Guiding Principle #7: Develop Case Management Strategies

Case management, the series of inter-related functions that provides for a coordinated team strategy and seamless collaboration across the treatment and justice systems, is essential for an integrated and effective DWI court program.


Guiding Principle #8: Address Transportation Issues

Though nearly every state revokes or suspends a person’s driving license upon conviction for a DUI offense, the loss of driving privileges poses a significant issue for those individuals involved in a DWI/Drug Court program. In many cases, the participant solves the transportation problem created by the loss of their driver’s license by driving anyway and taking a chance that he or she will not be caught. With this knowledge, the court must caution the participant against taking such chances in the future and to alter their attitude about driving without a license.


Guiding Principle #9: Evaluate the Program

To convince “stakeholders” about the power of DWI court, program designers must design a DWI court evaluation model capable of documenting behavioral change and linking that change to the program’s existence. A credible evaluation is the only mechanism for mapping the road to program success or failure. To prove whether a program is efficient and effective requires the assistance of a competent evaluator, an understanding of and control over all relevant variables that can systematically contribute to behavioral change, and a commitment from the DWI court team to rigorously abide by the rules of the evaluation design.


Guiding Principle #10: Create a Sustainable Program

The foundation for sustainability is laid, to a considerable degree, by careful and strategic planning. Such planning includes considerations of structure and scale, organization and participation and, of course, funding. Becoming an integral and proven approach to the DWI problem in the community however is the ultimate key to sustainability. 
 
Research and PresentationsMinnesota DWI Courts: A Summary of Evaluation Findings in Nine DWI Court Programs (July 2014) Summary  (PDF)
OverviewFamily dependency treatment court is a juvenile or family court docket of which selected abuse, neglect, and dependency cases are identified where parental substance abuse is a primary factor. Judges, attorneys, child protection services, and treatment personnel unite with the goal of providing safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for children while simultaneously providing parents the necessary support and services to become drug and alcohol abstinent. Family dependency treatment courts aid parents in regaining control of their lives and promote long-term stabilized recovery to enhance the possibility of family reunification within mandatory legal timeframes.
OverviewA juvenile drug court is a docket within a juvenile court to which selected delinquency cases, and in some instances status offenders, are referred for handling by a designated judge. The youth referred to this docket are identified as having problems with alcohol and/or other drugs… Over the course of a year or more, the team meets frequently (often weekly), determining how best to address the substance abuse and related problems of the youth and his or her family that have brought the youth into contact with the justice system.
OverviewModeled after drug courts and developed in response to the overrepresentation of people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system, mental health courts divert select defendants with mental illnesses into judicially supervised, community-based treatment.  Currently, all mental health courts are voluntary.  Defendants are invited to participate in the mental health court following a specialized screening and assessment, and they may choose to decline participation.  For those who agree to the terms and conditions of community-based supervision, a team of court staff and mental health professionals works together to develop treatment plans and supervise participants in the community.
OverviewVeterans Treatment Courts use a hybrid integration of Drug Court and Mental Health Court principles to serve military veterans, and sometimes active-duty personnel. They promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves collaboration with the traditional partners found in Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare networks, Veterans Benefits Administration, State Departments of Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors, and organizations that support veterans and veterans’ families.

Blue Earth (Fifth District)

Blue Earth Family Dependency Treatment Court (FDTC)
Brochures/Media/Publications:

Special Events Calendar For more information, please contact:
Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
Blue Earth County Justice Center
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN  56002
(507) 469-5518
(507) 304-4710 (Fax)

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Brown (Fifth District)

Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties
Brochures/Media/Publications:

PowerPoint Publications:

Brown County Juvenile Drug Court
In 2007,  Brown County started a juvenile drug court.  They have recently changed their name to the Brown County Juvenile Treatment Court and as of January 2011 will begin accepting juveniles with diagnosed mental health and/or chemical dependency problems.  In addition to the juvenile delinquency population, they will also accept referrals from the child welfare system.  In late 2010, this court was awarded a three year grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention.

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Carlton (Sixth District)

Carlton County Drug Court

Treatment courts are collaborations between the courts, probation, law enforcement, treatment providers and community partners that work to reduce recidivism of offenders who are chemically dependent. In lieu of incarceration, treatment courts use a treatment-based approach coupled with intensive supervision and judicial oversight to help chemically-dependent offenders maintain sobriety. The offenders enter the treatment court for at least a year, during which time they are expected to complete treatment and remain accountable to probation through providing random urinalysis tests and complying with random home visits.

Carlton County began operating a drug court in August 2014. Each court has its own team of professionals that collaborate and meet weekly to help offenders succeed in the program. Each specialty court also requires that offenders appear in front of the judge and the team at weekly hearings. 

By achieving a sober lifestyle, chemically-dependent offenders are less likely to commit crimes and are more likely to be employed and to be providers for their families. Treatment courts not only save money and increase public safety by reducing crime; they also change the lives of the offenders and their families.

For more information, please contact:
Jared Hendler
Treatment Court Coordinator
Carlton and Duluth Drug & Range Hybrid Courts
100 North 5th Avenue West #320
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 720-1535

Cottonwood (Fifth District)

Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties
The Minnesota Cornerstone Drug Court 
Serving Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties 

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact:        
Coordinator:  

Sherri Smith
204 East Brown Street
P.O. Box 745
Luverne, MN 56156-0745
Phone: (507) 283-5537

Faribault (Fifth District)

Faribault-Martin-Jackson

Faribault, Martin, Jackson Family Dependency Treatment Court

Brochures/Media/Publications: Special Events Calendar: For more information, please contact:
Coordinator: Andrea Aukrust
Martin County Courthouse
201 Lake Avenue, Suite 243
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 402-9375

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Hennepin (Fourth District)

Hennepin County Drug Court
The Fourth Judicial District Court and Hennepin County implemented Drug Court in 1997, and revised the program in 2007, with the mission to increase public safety, improve chemical health, and reduce crime by targeting the population of adult, non-violent, chemically dependent, felony property and drug offenders, who are at high risk to reoffend. Drug Court is a voluntary, minimum 12-month, post-conviction program, involving the coordinated efforts of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, law enforcement, social services, probation, and treatment specialists to quickly identify and intervene in order to break the cycle of chemical dependency and crime.

The judge is the central figure in a team effort to keep participants engaged in treatment, to reward progress for meeting goals and to sanction noncompliant behavior. Drug Court participants receive ongoing judicial supervision from the court, are placed under intensive community supervision, undergo frequent drug testing and engage in long-term chemical dependency treatment. In addition, Drug Court assists participants in enhancing life-skills which may include such services as: job training, education, family counseling, etc. Drug Court encourages participants to take control of their own recovery, but it also has clear and definite requirements which if broken are swiftly dealt with by the judge.

Judge Marta M. Chou presides over Drug Court. If you are interested in observing Drug Court, hearings take place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom #C-853 in the Hennepin Co. Govt. Center.

For more information, please contact:
John Hultquist, Program Coordinator
(612) 348-9265
email: John.Hultquist@courts.state.mn.us


Resources:

Hennepin County DWI Court

The Fourth Judicial District Court and Hennepin County implemented DWI Court in 2007, with the mission to increase public safety and reduce the number of alcohol related traffic deaths and injuries by effectively partnering our justice system and community resources to focus on the specific issues of repeat DWI offenders. DWI Court is a voluntary, minimum 18-month, post-conviction program involving the coordinated efforts of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, law enforcement, social services, probation, treatment specialists, and victim advocates to quickly identify and intervene in order to break the cycle of chemical dependency and drunk driving.

Eligibility Guidelines:

  • Hennepin County resident
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Second Degree Gross Misdemeanor or first-time Felony level charge
  • Hennepin County arrest and charged
  • Diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder
  • Must complete an orientation and screening, voluntarily agree to participate in the program, and be approved by the DWI Court team

The judge is the central figure in a team effort to keep participants engaged in treatment, to reward progress for meeting goals and to sanction noncompliant behavior. DWI Court participants receive ongoing judicial supervision from the court, are placed under intensive community supervision, undergo frequent drug testing and engage in long-term chemical dependency treatment and attend community support groups. In addition, participants may participate in cognitive-behavioral groups, mental health counseling and psychiatric services. DWI Court encourages participants to take control of their own recovery, but it also has clear and definite requirements which if broken are swiftly responded to by the judge.

Judge Kerry W. Meyer presides over the DWI Court. If you are interested in observing DWI Court, hearings take place every Thursday and Friday at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom C-857 in the Hennepin County Government Center.

For more information, please contact:
Dennis Miller, Program Coordinator
(612) 348-3874 
​email: Dennis.Miller@courts.state.mn.us


Resources:

Hennepin County Veterans' Court
Hennepin County Veterans Court is a court that serves veterans charged with a criminal offense who are struggling with addiction, serious mental illness, and/or co-occurring disorders. It is a 12-18 month coordinated program that promotes sobriety, recovery, and stability involving cooperation and collaboration with the traditional problem solving court partners, with the addition of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care, the Veterans Benefits Administration, County Veterans’ Services, and volunteer veteran mentors. The program couples judicial reviews with intensive probation supervision including input from a multi-disciplinary team of professionals led by the judge. The Fourth Judicial District Court and Hennepin County implemented Veterans Court in July 2010 with the mission of promoting public safety by assisting and supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated response, through collaboration with the veterans’ service delivery system, community based services, and the criminal justice system.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligibility is evaluated by the Veterans Court Team on a case-by-case basis. General requirements include:
  • Service in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Charged in Hennepin County with a non-violent felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor offense Residence in Hennepin County, or in close proximity to the Court (metro area)
  • Diagnosed with a treatable behavioral, mental health, or chemical health issue
Judge Kerry Meyer presides over Veterans Court every Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center.

For more information, please contact:
Allison Holbrook, Program Coordinator
(612) 348-6302
email: Allison.Holbrook@courts.state.mn.us

Hennepin County Criminal Mental Health Court
Criminal Mental Health Court of the Fourth Judicial District is an innovative program that capitalizes on the criminal court involvement for the identification of individuals with mental illness with unmet health care needs, for setting into motion a rapid response to these needs, and for using the court involvement as means for maximizing compliance. This program has been nationally recognized as a leader in innovation.

The operation of Criminal Mental Health Court has stimulated a change in the manner that defendants with mental illness are responded to by both the mental health system and the correctional system. The Criminal Mental Health Court has established a more fluid referral process with the county case management system and has developed partnerships with other vendors of mental health services in Hennepin County. Criminal Mental Health Court promotes access, improves the quality of and removes barriers to mental health care services to a historically underserved population.

For more information contact:
Allison Holbrook, Coordinator
(612) 348-6302
email: Allison.Holbrook@courts.state.mn.us


Mental Health Court Brochure

Jackson (Fifth District)

Faribault-Martin-Jackson

Faribault, Martin, Jackson Family Dependency Treatment Court

Brochures/Media/Publications: Special Events Calendar: For more information, please contact:
Coordinator: Andrea Aukrust
Martin County Courthouse
201 Lake Avenue, Suite 243
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 402-9375

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Lincoln (Fifth District)

Southwest Community Drug Court: Lincoln-Lyon-Redwood Counties
LLR Adult Drug Court
Southwest Community Drug Court
Serving Lincoln/Lyon/Redwood Counties and the Lower Sioux Indian Community

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact: 
Coordinator:  Amber Tisue
Lyon County Courthouse
607 West Main
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Redwood County Courthouse
250 South Jefferson
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Lyon (Fifth District)

Southwest Community Drug Court: Lincoln-Lyon-Redwood Counties
LLR Adult Drug Court
Southwest Community Drug Court
Serving Lincoln/Lyon/Redwood Counties and the Lower Sioux Indian Community

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact: 
Coordinator:  Amber Tisue
Lyon County Courthouse
607 West Main
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Redwood County Courthouse
250 South Jefferson
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Martin (Fifth District)

Faribault-Martin-Jackson

Faribault, Martin, Jackson Family Dependency Treatment Court

Brochures/Media/Publications: Special Events Calendar: For more information, please contact:
Coordinator: Andrea Aukrust
Martin County Courthouse
201 Lake Avenue, Suite 243
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 402-9375

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Morrison (Seventh District)

Morrison County Drug Court

Morrison County Drug Court

Morrison County Drug Court was formed in response to the need for a new, more effective approach to drug offenders.  Drug courts that have been developed in a number of other jurisdictions across the country demonstrate that recidivism rates are reduced for participants in “treatment-based drug courts” when compared to the standard incarceration or probation-based approach.
 

Drug Court Eligibility

In order to qualify for drug court, the individual must meet the following eligibility standards: 
  • Resident of Morrison County.
  • Eighteen years of age or older.
  • Have an open criminal case.
  • Chemically dependent.
  • Qualify based on objective determination of risk and needs.

The Drug Court Program and its Phases 

The Morrison County Drug Court program is a five-phased process lasting a minimum of 14 months.  Each drug court participant will be assessed a participant fee.  All participants are required to: (1) abstain from the use or possession of alcohol, products containing alcohol, illegal drugs, or any non-prescribed mood-altering substance; (2) have sober housing, (3) submit to observed, random drug testing; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) use a whereabouts line to report his or her location; and (6) engage in weekly pro-social activities consisting of employment, volunteering, education, or treatment-related activities.  Other major components of the phases include:
 

Phase 1

Length of phase – minimum of 2 months
Drug Court attendance 3 out of every 4 weeks
Minimum of two meetings per week with Drug Court probation agent
Enter into recommended treatment program and abide by treatment expectations
Obtain and / or maintain health care benefits
 

Phase 2

Length of phase – minimum of 3 months
Drug Court attendance 3 out of every 4 weeks
Minimum of two meetings per week with Drug Court probation agent
Continued treatment and cognitive programming
Establish health care providers
 

Phase 3

Length of phase – minimum of 3 months
Drug Court attendance 2 out of every 4 weeks
Minimum of four meetings per month with Drug Court probation agent
 

Phase 4

Length of phase – minimum of 3 months
Drug Court attendance 2 out of every 4 weeks
Minimum of two meetings per month with Drug Court probation agent
 

Phase 5

Length of phase – minimum of 3 months
Drug Court attendance 1 out of every 4 weeks
Minimum of two meetings per month with Drug Court probation agent
Completion of 40 hours of community service work
Graduation!
Recovery does not end at graduation.  Recovery is a process that lasts a lifetime.
 

Drug Court Participating Agencies

Morrison  County District Court – Seventh Judicial District
Morrison County Attorney’s Office
Seventh Judicial District Public Defender’s Office
Central Minnesota Community Corrections
Morrison County Social Services
Morrison County Sheriff’s Department
Little Falls Police Department
Effective Living Center, Inc.
St. Cloud Hospital Recovery Plus
Northern Pines Mental Health Center

Murray (Fifth District)

Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties
The Minnesota Cornerstone Drug Court 
Serving Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties 

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact:        
Coordinator:  

Sherri Smith
204 East Brown Street
P.O. Box 745
Luverne, MN 56156-0745
Phone: (507) 283-5537

Nicollet (Fifth District)

Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties
Brochures/Media/Publications:

PowerPoint Publications:

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Nobles (Fifth District)

Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties
The Minnesota Cornerstone Drug Court 
Serving Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties 

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact:        
Coordinator:  

Sherri Smith
204 East Brown Street
P.O. Box 745
Luverne, MN 56156-0745
Phone: (507) 283-5537

Pipestone (Fifth District)

Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties
The Minnesota Cornerstone Drug Court 
Serving Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties 

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact:        
Coordinator:  

Sherri Smith
204 East Brown Street
P.O. Box 745
Luverne, MN 56156-0745
Phone: (507) 283-5537

Ramsey (Second District)

Ramsey County Adult Substance Abuse Court

(651) 266-9256, fax: (651) 767-8940

Ramsey County Substance Abuse Court (ASAC) started in October 2002. ASAC is designed to provide individuals the opportunity to improve their lives and break the cycle of substance abuse. The court uses assessment, treatment (chemical and mental health), strict supervision, random drug and breath testing, regular court hearings and immediate sanctions and incentives to help participants maintain a drug free lifestyle. The program represents a closer working relationship between criminal justice partners (judge, prosecutor, defense attorneys, case managers, and treatment providers) than is traditionally seen in criminal courts. ASAC serves approximately 55 participants in any given day.
 

Mission

Ramsey County Substance Abuse Court’s mission is to enhance public safety by reducing criminal activity and assist substance abusers to become drug/alcohol free, productive, and law-abiding citizens.
 

Goals

  • Reduce criminal recidivism among chemically addicted offenders
  • Increase the number of offenders who remain drug and alcohol free
  • Increase the benefit and reduce the cost to the County for providing services to chemically addicted offenders
  • Create a response to substance abuse issues among all agencies in Ramsey County

Referral into the ASAC Program

If you think your case is eligible for diversion into Adult Substance Abuse Court or into one of the other problem-solving courts, contact the Problem Solving Courts Supervisor.
Dustin Rockow
(651) 266-8168

Eligibility

  • Adult Ramsey County resident
  • Charged with a non-violent Felony offense
  • Substance abuse/dependency diagnosis and a need for treatment
  • Willingness to participate

Program Requirements

The program is a minimum of 12 months in length and divided into three phases, each minimally four months in length. Movement through phases is based on accomplishment of general phase requirements as well as specific case plan goals. Program components include (but not limited to) chemical dependency assessment, treatment, and aftercare, assessment for participation in other programming (cognitive learning groups, mental health interventions), random alcohol and drug testing, regular court appearances, case management meetings, attendance of community support groups, obtain employment or pursue education, participate in pro-social activities, pay restitution and program fees. A formal graduation ceremony will be held to celebrate completion of the program.

Psychiatric Court Clinic (PCC)

The Psychiatric Court Clinic was developed for persons who suffer from co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and mental health) to bridge the gap between immediate intervention and community resources. The PCC provides screening and assessment, case planning, medication management and referral to community-based mental health agencies. Participants are eligible to receive services regardless of their insurance status. The PCC is staffed by a psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse on a weekly basis. Participants meet with the doctor and nurse during court sessions for case review and medication checks.

Accomplishments and Impact

Ramsey County Adult Substance Abuse Court has a proven record of success of changing lives, reducing recidivism and lowering incarceration rates. Evaluation and outcome data reveal that ASAC graduates are less likely to commit a new offense, less likely to be convicted of a new offense, and less likely to spend time in jail than those in a comparison group. Mothers have given birth to 28 drug free babies while in the program. Graduates experienced a 44% reduction in their LSI-R scores (Level of Risk and Services) from program entry to exit.

Team

The Honorable Mark R. Ireland and Judith M. Tilsen lead ASAC.  The judges supervise participant progress through the RCMHC continuum based on regular hearings, team input, and participant behavior.  They also lead the ASAC team in decision-making and hold participants accountable for their progress by use of sanctions and incentives.
Brandi Stavlo is the Program Coordinator for the Adult Substance Abuse Court (ASAC) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ms. Stavlo has worked for the Second Judicial District Court since 2005, and prior to that worked in the nonprofit sector as a mental health counselor, crisis and outreach counselor, and child advocate. Ms. Stavlo received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the College of St. Benedict and earned her Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of St. Thomas and College of St. Catherine.
 

Awards

In 2010, the Ramsey County Substance Abuse Court was selected to serve a three-year term by the National Drug Court Institute as one of ten Adult Mentor Courts in the United States. In March 2013, the Ramsey County Substance Abuse Court was again selected for a three-year term by the National Drug Court Institute as one of ten Adult Mentor Courts in the United States.
On June 2, 2012 Judge Joanne Smith was inducted into The Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference in Nashville, TN. This is the highest achievement given to drug court professionals with only 22 inductees since 2002.
ASAC Prosecutor, Kim Bingham, won the Metro Area Prosecutor Award at the MADD Statewide Recognition Ceremony in March 2012.

Program Materials

Program Brochure 
Program Overview  
Participant Handbook

Contact

Please contact the Program Coordinator for additional information:
Brandi Stavlo, MSW
Program Coordinator
Ramsey County Adult Substance Abuse Court
15 W. Kellogg Blvd., 9th Floor Courthouse
St. Paul, MN 55102
Office: (651) 266-9256 | Fax: (651) 767-8940
brandi.stavlo@courts.state.mn.us

Ramsey County DWI Court

(651) 266-9277

The Ramsey County DWI Court is for persons charged with their third or more gross misdemeanor DWI offense or 1st degree felony DWI, non-presumptive commit to prison.  The court provides intensive supervision for persons who are interested in changing their drinking and driving behavior and ending their cycle in the criminal justice system. (For general information and for those not charged with a third or subsequent DWI, refer to the Criminal Court page)
 

Eligibility

  • 3 or more DWI's in a lifetime
  • Ramsey County resident
  • Gross Misdemeanor level charge or 1st Degree Felony – non presumptive commit to prison
  • Ramsey County arrest and charged
  • Diagnosis of substance dependence (substance or alcohol disorder moderate or higher)
  • No violent criminal history
  • Approval by the DWI Court team
  • Voluntary participation in the DWI Court Program

Goals

  • Increase the number of DWI offenders who become and remain alcohol and other drug free.
  • Reduce recidivism among DWI offenders thereby enhancing public safety.
  • Restore participants as law-abiding citizens.
Judge Mark Ireland and Judge Judith Tilsen preside over the DWI Court.  If you are interested in observing the court, hearings take place every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 131B of the Ramsey County Courthouse.

For more information, contact:
Tanya Jones, Program Coordinator
(651) 266-9277
tanya.jones@courts.state.mn.us
or
Dustin Rockow, Problem Solving Courts Coordinators Supervisor
(651) 266-8168
Dustin.Rockow@courts.state.mn.us
 

Informational Matierials:

DWI Program Brochure
Participant Handbook (non-Felony)
Participant Handbook (Felony)
Minnesota DWI Courts: A Summary of Evaluation Findings in Nine DWI Court Programs

Ramsey County Veterans Treatment Court

(651) 266-8168

The Ramsey County Veterans Treatment Court is a voluntary court program for eligible veterans who have been charged with a crime in Ramsey County. The mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to promote public safety through enhanced supervision and individual accountability. The purpose of the program is to assist and support veterans by creating a coordinated response through collaboration with the VA, community-based services, and the criminal justice system.

 

Contact

Dustin Rockow, Problem Solving Courts Supervisor
(651) 266-8168

Ramsey County Veterans Court Program

Ramsey County Mental Health Court

(651) 266-9256, fax: (651) 767-8940

Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
Mission and Goals
Target Population, Referral into the Program, Eligibility and Program Requirements
Current Operation
National Learning Site
Accomplishments and Impact
Team
Program Materials, Video, Training
Press, Publications, and Awards
 

Mission

The mission of the RCMHC is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism among those whose criminal behaviors are attributable to mental illness.  Through court supervision and the coordination of mental health and other social services, the Court supports a psychiatrically stable and crime-free lifestyle among its participants.


Goals

The goals of RCMHC are to:
  • Reduce recidivism.
  • Improve public safety.
  • Reduce the costs of prosecution, incarceration, and hospitalization to taxpayers.
  • Improve defendants' access to public mental health and substance abuse treatment services and other community resources.
  • Enhance collaboration between criminal justice agencies and the mental health system to better serve those with mental illness.
  • Improve the quality of life of mentally ill defendants.
RCMHC meets its goals by directing eligible defendants with mental health disorders from the criminal justice system to community-based mental health, substance abuse and support services. Rather than the traditional pattern of focusing on the criminal activity of the defendant, the RCMHC focuses on addressing and treating the defendant’s mental health and chemical health needs.


Target Population

The target population of the RCMHC is adult Ramsey County residents who have been charged with a crime that is related to a serious mental illness.

Referral into the Mental Health Court Program

If you think your case is eligible for diversion into Mental Health Court or into one of the other problem-solving courts, contact the Problem Solving Courts Supervisor.
Dustin Rockow
(651) 266-8168

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Mental Health Court program an individual must be:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Ramsey County resident (out-of-county considered on a case by case basis)
  • Charged with a Crime
  • Diagnosed with a significant mental illness
  • Legally competent
  • A person with no history of violent offenses
  • Willing to voluntarily participate and commit to the rigors of the court conditions and treatment plan

Program Requirements

The RCMHC program is a four-phase treatment process, lasting a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years. Each phase consists of specific requirements for advancement into the next phase and outlines the recovery support services delivery plan. Phase movement results upon accomplishing treatment goals as agreed in the treatment plan; court conditions as agreed at acceptance into the RCMHC program and specific phase requirements.
Participants who agree to be accepted into the RCMHC program are required to:
  • remain law abiding;
  • abstain from illegal or non-prescribed drugs;
  • submit to random drug and alcohol testing;
  • complete community service hours;
  • identify and maintain appropriate housing;
  • remain compliant with all medication and psychiatric appointments;
  • fully comply with mental health and chemical health treatment recommendations;
  • develop and sustain a long-term treatment plan;
  • participate in pro-social activities;
  • become involved with mental health and community support groups.
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Current Operation

The Second Judicial District's Mental Health Court has been operational since May 2005 and developed based on the national problem-solving court model.  The Ramsey County Mental Health Court (RCMHC) was created when it became increasingly clear that persons with mental illness and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders were in need of more specialized and individualized jurisprudential approaches. 
The RCMHC directs eligible defendants with mental health disorders from the criminal justice system to community-based mental health, substance abuse and support services.  Between its inception in May of 2005 and December of 2014, the RCMHC has provided services to 472 individuals with serious mental illness who have been charged with criminal offenses in Ramsey County.
RCMHC is currently funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Adult Mental Health, and two federal Bureau of Justice and Mental Health Expansion grants.  By partnering with Human Services, the RCMHC team includes two community human services case managers who link participants to available community mental and chemical health services. This approach has demonstrated results by changing lives, lowering incarceration rates and reducing recidivism.  To maintain adequate resources, the Court relies heavily on pro bono services.
At present, the state of Minnesota has three operational mental health courts and 39 operational drug courts.  There are more than 400 mental health courts across the country with many additional courts in the planning phase.
 

National Learning Site

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Council of State Governments Justice Center selected Ramsey County Mental Health Court (RCMHC) as a National Learning Site (more commonly known as “mentor courts”). According to the national reviewing team, RCMHC was chosen not just for programmatic successes, but also for the ability to provide insight and guidance to other jurisdictions interested in starting or expanding a mental health court.

Accomplishments and Impact

The accomplishments of the RCMHC include connecting defendants to mental and chemical health services; reducing the incidences of criminal behavior; reducing the costs to the criminal justice system, corrections, public safety, and hospitals; enhancing the collaboration between the courts and the mental health community; improving the quality of life of defendants upon discharge (i.e., housing and treatment services in place); and assisting defendants with establishing more productive lives including self-sufficiency and self-confidence. Through the coercive authority and monitoring of the RCMHC as well as collaboration with the community, defendant’s mental illness and environmental factors drastically improve. The proven outcome is that people learn to engage in services, and when they have their next mental health crisis, instead of defaulting to the police on the street they default to the treatment system. 
The impact of RCMHC has been significant. RCMHC has a proven record of success in changing lives, lowering incarceration rates, reducing recidivism, and improving medication compliance thereby increasing public safety and decreasing criminal justice and court expenses across the board. Evaluation and outcome data reveals that RCMHC graduates are less likely to be charged with a new offense, less likely to be convicted of a new offense, and less likely to spend time in jail than those in a comparison group of similarly situated offenders who did not participate in RCMHC.  
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Team

The Honorable Mark R. Ireland and Judith M. Tilsen lead RCMHC.  The judges supervise participant progress through the RCMHC continuum based on regular hearings, team input, and participant behavior.  They also lead the RCMHC team in decision-making and hold participants accountable for their progress by use of sanctions and incentives.
Brandi Stavlo is the Program Coordinator for the Ramsey County Mental Health Court (RCMHC) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ms. Stavlo has worked for the Second Judicial District Court since 2005, and prior to that worked in the nonprofit sector as a mental health counselor, crisis and outreach counselor, and child advocate. Ms. Stavlo has represented RCMHC on several state and county committees focused on mental and chemical health issues, including the Police Round Table; Community/Homeless/Mental Health Committee; Ramsey County Community Human Services Citizens Advisory Council, Adult Mental Health Committee; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Ms. Stavlo was trained nationally by the Council of State Governments Justice Center in Developing a Mental Health Court: An Interdisciplinary Curriculum to provide training to jurisdictions within Minnesota who are interested in starting a mental health court or improving their existing program. Ms. Stavlo received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the College of St. Benedict and earned her Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of St. Thomas and College of St. Catherine.


Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

The Court would like to thank everyone who is interested in volunteering or interning with RCMHC.

Graduate Clinical Placements:

In addition to the information in our graduate school posting, all students need to apply and be screened by Volunteer Services before RCMHC can move forward with interviews.  Students who are interested in the RCMHC internship need to complete an online application for the internship, found on the Ramsey County Home Page. 
Please note:
  • Academic year placement (September - May).  Minimum of 400 hours.
  • Summer block placement (June - August).  Minimum of 400 hours.

Program Interns and Project Volunteers:

All non-clinical applicants should complete the Application For Internship and return it with a current resume to brandi.stavlo@courts.state.mn.us.
  • Program Interns:  There is a minimum of 150 hours required for Program Interns.
  • Project Volunteers: Should also submit hours required with the application.
If selected for an interview, be prepared with the following information:
  • Skills, training or experience that you bring to RCMHC
  • What interests or goals you hope to pursue through an internship
  • Program requirements (i.e. required hours if seeking educational credits)
  • Type of supervision needed
  • A proposed final project (i.e., publishing an editorial article, organizing mental health education at your school, speaking for a community organization, etc.)
  • A brief description of how you think your work would fit into our program in the areas of education, individual advocacy, and mental health advocacy.

Program Materials

RCMHC Program Brochure (2016)
RCMHC Participant Handbook (2016)
RCMHC One Page Fact Sheet (2016)
Volunteer Opportunities (2015)
Program Information (2015)


Video

2014 Minnesota CLE Criminal Law Webcast Ramsey County Mental Health Court: Working with the Mentally Ill Defendant.
2010 Ramsey County Mental Health Court on the public access television show One and the Same on the Suburban Community Channels SCC.
 

Trainings with Links

Minnesota CLE - May 27, 2014: Criminal Law Series Live Webcast 
CLE - MAY 23, 2012: Working with the Mentally Ill Defendant
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Press and Publications

MN Judicial Branch: Ramsey County Mental Health Court Named a 2015-2016 National Criminal Justice/Mental Health Collaboration Learning Site (August 19, 2015)
William Mitchell Law Review:  Ramsey County Mental Health Court:  Working with Community Partners to Improve the Lives of Mentally Ill Defendants, Reduce Recidivism, and Enhance Public Safety (May 2015) 
Minnesota Lawyer: Judge: Mental health court needs new money (March 16, 2015)
Minnesota Lawyer: Briggs attorneys receive MJF recognition (October 28, 2013)
Minnesota Lawyer: Mental Health Court decreases recidivism (August 19, 2013)
News Release:  RCMHC Reduces Recidivism (July 2013)
2010-2012 RCMHC Report
Ramsey County Bar Association:  Barrister Article (April 2011)  
2009 RCMHC Report


Awards

2014 Minnesota Lawyer Unsung Legal Hero Award: Brandi Stavlo
2013 Minnesota Justice Foundation Private Practice Award: Alan Maclin, W. Knapp Fitzsimmons, Michael Wilhelm, and Ankoor Bagchi, Briggs and Morgan, PA 
2013 Minnesota Justice Foundation Law Student Award: Suzula Bidon, RCMHC Student Certified Attorney
2009 Ramsey County Bar Association Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney: Warren Maas, RCMHC Pro Bono Attorney

Contact

Please contact the Program Coordinator for additional information:

Brandi Stavlo, MSW

Program Coordinator
Ramsey County Mental Health Court
Adult Substance Abuse Court
15 W. Kellogg Blvd., 9th Floor Courthouse
St. Paul, MN 55102
Office: (651) 266-9256 | Fax: (651) 767-8940
brandi.stavlo@courts.state.mn.us

Redwood (Fifth District)

Southwest Community Drug Court: Lincoln-Lyon-Redwood Counties
LLR Adult Drug Court
Southwest Community Drug Court
Serving Lincoln/Lyon/Redwood Counties and the Lower Sioux Indian Community

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact: 
Coordinator:  Amber Tisue
Lyon County Courthouse
607 West Main
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Redwood County Courthouse
250 South Jefferson
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Phone: (507) 607-0375

Rock (Fifth District)

Cornerstone Drug Court: Cottonwood-Rock-Nobles-Murray-Pipestone Counties
The Minnesota Cornerstone Drug Court 
Serving Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties 

Brochures/Media/Publications:

For more information, please contact:        
Coordinator:  

Sherri Smith
204 East Brown Street
P.O. Box 745
Luverne, MN 56156-0745
Phone: (507) 283-5537

St. Louis Duluth (Sixth District)

Duluth Drug Court

Treatment courts are collaborations between the courts, probation, law enforcement, treatment providers and community partners that work to reduce recidivism of offenders who are chemically dependent. In lieu of incarceration, treatment courts use a treatment-based approach coupled with intensive supervision and judicial oversight to help chemically-dependent offenders maintain sobriety. The offenders enter the treatment court for at least a year, during which time they are expected to complete treatment and remain accountable to probation through providing random urinalysis tests and complying with random home visits.

St. Louis County has four treatment courts: the Duluth Drug Court, the Duluth DWI Court, the Range Hybrid Drug/DWI Court, and the Duluth Mental Health Court. Each court has its own team of professionals that collaborate and meet weekly to help offenders succeed in the program. Each specialty court also requires that offenders appear in front of the judge and the team at weekly hearings.

By achieving a sober lifestyle, chemically-dependent offenders are less likely to commit crimes and are more likely to be employed and to be providers for their families. Treatment courts not only save money and increase public safety by reducing crime; they also change the lives of the offenders and their families.

For more information, please contact:
Jared Hendler
Treatment Court Coordinator
Carlton and Duluth Drug & Range Hybrid Courts
100 North 5th Avenue West #320
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 720-1535

Duluth DWI Court
Jessica Lange
Treatment Court Coordinator
Duluth DWI Court
100 North 5th Avenue West #320
Duluth, MN 55803
(218) 720-1547

Duluth Mental Health Court
Heather Korpela
Treatment Court Coordinator
Duluth Mental Health Court
100 North 5th Avenue West #320

Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 726-2464

St. Louis Virginia (Sixth District)

Range Hybrid Court

Treatment courts are collaborations between the courts, probation, law enforcement, treatment providers and community partners that work to reduce recidivism of offenders who are chemically dependent. In lieu of incarceration, treatment courts use a treatment-based approach coupled with intensive supervision and judicial oversight to help chemically-dependent offenders maintain sobriety. The offenders enter the treatment court for at least a year, during which time they are expected to complete treatment and remain accountable to probation through providing random urinalysis tests and complying with random home visits.

St. Louis County has four treatment courts: the Duluth Drug Court, the Duluth DWI Court, the Range Hybrid Drug/DWI Court, and the Duluth Mental Health Court. Each court has its own team of professionals that collaborate and meet weekly to help offenders succeed in the program. Each specialty court also requires that offenders appear in front of the judge and the team at weekly hearings.  Carlton County began operating a drug court in August 2014. 

By achieving a sober lifestyle, chemically-dependent offenders are less likely to commit crimes and are more likely to be employed and to be providers for their families. Treatment courts not only save money and increase public safety by reducing crime; they also change the lives of the offenders and their families.

For more information, please contact:

Aleesha Ward
Treatment Court Coordinator
Range Hybrid Court
300 5th Avenue South
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 471-7223

Stearns (Seventh District)

Stearns County Drug Court
The Stearns County Drug Court is a tool designed to meet the goals of accountability and crime prevention. The Stearns County Drug Court is designed to prevent crime by treating the underlying treating substance addiction issue(s) associated with criminal activity and thereby reducing recidivism. Treatment providers keep the court informed about participant’s progress so that sanctions and incentives can be consistently and immediately implemented by the court. Compliance with the program requirements is within the participant’s control and is based on measurable performance goals. Participants are treated firmly, but fairly and consistently, with dignity and respect. Participants who do not successfully complete all three phases of the Drug Court program face traditional sanctions/sentencing options in district court. 

Watonwan (Fifth District)

Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties
Brochures/Media/Publications:

PowerPoint Publications:

5th Multi County Veterans Court
Multi-County Veterans Court (MCVC)
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District.  A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center.  The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system.  The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program. 
Brochures/Forms/Publications:

Calendar: Veterans Court Referral Package:
For More Information Please Contact:
Veterans Court Coordinator: Kevin Mettler
401 Carver Road
P.O. Box 3543
Mankato, MN 56002
507-469-5518

Since 2012, there have been three major studies released of Minnesota’s drug courts:
 

2012 Drug Court Evaluation:

In 2012, the Minnesota Judicial Branch released the first comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of Minnesota’s drug courts. The groundbreaking study, which compared 535 drug court participants to similar offenders who experienced traditional court processes over two-and-a-half years, found that drug courts:
  • Significantly reduced recidivism;
  • Reduced incarceration and related costs for drug court participants; and
  • Improved what the study called, “community functioning measures” for drug court participants. Specific improvements:
    • Unemployment dropped from 62 percent at drug court entry to 37 percent at drug court discharge for all participants – including those who did not graduate.
    • The unemployment rate for participants who graduated from a drug court program dropped from about 50 percent at entry to less than 15 percent at graduation.
    • Twenty percent of graduates raised their highest educational attainment during their time in the drug court program.
    • Almost three-fourths of graduates who were not compliant with their obligation to pay child support at the beginning of their drug court participation were compliant upon completion.
2014 Drug Court Evaluation:
The 2012 drug court evaluation showed the real impact that Minnesota’s drug courts were having on some of the most high-risk drug offenders in the state. At that time, it was decided that continued monitoring of the progress of these drug court participants was in order to learn whether the improved outcomes were sustainable in the long-term.
 
Thanks to this continued evaluation, for an additional year-and-a-half, the long-lasting impact drug courts have on the lives of participants, and the real benefits drug courts provide to Minnesota communities, are now available.
  • Drug Court participants continue to have a significantly lower rate of recidivism: Comparing offenders who spent similar amounts of time outside of incarceration (“at-risk time”) during the evaluation period, the new study shows drug court participants consistently had significantly lower recidivism rates. For example, among those offenders who reached four years of “at-risk time” during the evaluation, 28 percent of drug court participants had received a new conviction, compared to 41 percent of non-drug court participants.
  • Drug Court participants also spent fewer days incarcerated: Drug court participants spent, on average, 74 fewer days incarcerated in jail or prison compared to similar offenders during the four-year evaluation period. The average cost savings for each drug court participant was $4,288 as a result of this reduced incarceration.

2014 DWI Court Evaluation:

Nine existing DWI courts were evaluated in this study funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study showed that:
  • DWI courts reduce recidivism: DWI court graduates (those who completed a DWI court program) had lower re-arrest rates compared to DWI offenders who experienced traditional court processes at eight out of the nine DWI courts included in the evaluation. The reduction in re-arrest rates ranged from 31 percent to 78 percent among graduates of these programs.
  • Minnesota DWI courts have completion rates well above the national average: The nine DWI courts included in the evaluation had completion rates ranging from 65 percent to 86 percent; well above the national average of 53 percent for drug and DWI court programs. In addition, these completion rates are at least double the national completion rate (35 percent) for intensive, non-court-monitored outpatient treatment. According to the evaluation, “this indicates that the court monitoring component in DWI courts may well lead to participants staying in the program longer, and to higher completion rates.”
  • DWI courts save taxpayer money: Six of the seven programs that were included in a cost analysis showed cost savings due to reduced recidivism for DWI court participants. The average cost savings to local agencies and the state in these six programs ranged from $1,694 to $11,386 per participant over two years.
Drug Court Research Publications and Reports