The Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has awarded $16.8 million in grants to courts statewide to fund the operation of problem-solving court (PSC) programs, including mental health, drug and sobriety and veterans treatment.
Macomb County Circuit Court is receiving $226,500 and 42-1 District Court in Romeo has been alloted $40,000, according to court officials.
“We are very pleased to receive these funds so we can continue to operate these programs, which are proven to reduce recidivism and improve not only the lives of the participants, but also the community” said Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge James. Biernat Jr. “We are also thankful for our judges that volunteer to handle these special dockets and the talented and hard working teams in each of these programs.”
Macomb County Circuit Court operates two Adult Drug Court dockets with Judge Jennifer Faunce and Judge Joseph Toia, a Veterans’ Treatment Court with Judge Michael Servitto, a Mental Health Court with Judge Carl Marlinga and a Swift & Sure Sanctions Probation docket with Judge James Maceroni.
The 42-1 District Court has a hybrid Drug/Sobriety Court with Judge Denis LeDuc.
In addition to these existing programs, Macomb County Circuit Court is planning a new OWI Sobriety Court program with Judge Julie Gatti, according to court officials.
The program will provide therapy and structured supervision to repeat OWI offenders with alcohol dependence, allowing for treatment of the root cause of the behavior while maintaining public safety, according to court officials.
That program is scheduled to begin operations next summer.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, who serves as the MSC liaison to problem-solving courts, said data have consistently shown that specialized courts contribute to less repeat crime, lower unemployment rates and improved quality of life of graduates.
“Michigan problem-solving courts have a proven track record of holding participants accountable, while also extending a helping hand,” she said. “Funding these life-changing programs is a huge win for the entire state because they bring courts and community together to achieve the common goals of stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and smarter justice.”
Statewide grant totals for the current fiscal yeara include:
• Drug/Sobriety Courts $10,513,192
• Mental Health Courts $5,281,269
• Veterans Treatment Courts $1,036,400
Key findings from the most recent PSC report include:
• Adult drug court graduates are more than two times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program.
• Adult mental health court graduates were about two times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years.
• Unemployment dropped dramatically among all PSC graduates (by 98 percent for adult drug court graduates and by 87 percent for veterans treatment courts graduates, for example).
• Nearly 100 percent of all mental health court graduates reported an improvement in their mental health status and in their quality of life upon completing a program.
Problem-solving courts are nontraditional programs that focus on nonviolent offenders whose underlying social and medical problems have contributed to recurring involvement with the criminal justice system.
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