Guiding hand: Judge takes over new duties with drug court

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– ­Photos by John Meiu


By Linda Laderman

Legal News

A belief that people with mental health issues who run afoul of the law should not always be incarcerated characterizes Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Shalina Kumar's approach to her new duties as judge of the female track of Adult Treatment Court (ATC).

Kumar took over the female track of the ATC after Governor Rick Snyder appointed former Circuit Judge Colleen O'Brien to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

With just three sessions behind her, Kumar finds she is already invested in the challenges of those assigned to her.

"Many things have touched me but listening to these women fight through their struggles, acknowledge their issues, and ask for and utilize the help that is provided to them through ATC is incredible," Kumar said.

Four men and four women are set to graduate from the program this January, when the ATC holds its 44th graduation ceremony.

"Even though this coming January's graduates started with Judge O'Brien, I will have had the chance to witness some personal growth," Kumar said. "It will be a huge moment for me when I have a group that I have been with from the start."

Since many of the women who Kumar sees in her court have mental health problems related to substance abuse, each case is individually evaluated and screened for complications that might not surface immediately. Kumar said, "Jail will not treat underlying mental health issues."

While the ATC is suggested as an alternative to jail or probation, not everyone is willing to enter into the ATC's treatment plan, Kumar said.

"Not everyone agrees to do it. They have to acknowledge the hard work ahead. But most say yes and those who do it work really hard."

ATC sessions are held every other Wednesday, where participants report on their progress on an individualized plan created by a group of mental health and legal professionals.

"Each judge can sentence someone to the ATC," Kumar said. "Once someone agrees to enter the program our whole team gets together to discuss a plan of action."

Team members evaluate participants who are often chemically abusing non-violent adult felony offenders. ATC's goal is to rehabilitate and successfully return those who complete the ATC program back to their communities.

In addition to the treatment court judge, two adult treatment court probation officers, an adult treatment court coordinator, adult treatment court defense advisor and a mental health court liaison guide the year-long process, Kumar noted.

Every phase of treatment is at least 12 weeks in duration except the first phase, which generally lasts 16 weeks.

"These are non-violent offenders who don't know where to get help," Kumar said.

Although overseeing the female segment of the ATC is a volunteer position with no reduction in her regular criminal and civil docket, Kumar finds her additional responsibilities gratifying.

"I am so glad we have this aspect of the judicial system where we learn how to talk about issues, to understand what is underneath the problem," Kumar said.

One of Kumar's primary principles is to treat each woman's challenges as unique.

"I really try to talk to the defendants and hopefully give them some support and guidance," Kumar said. "My involvement with the ATC participants provides me with the opportunity to be involved in their lives for an extended period of time. This allows me to observe and appreciate how the participants grow from the program and how beneficial it really is to them."

Kumar credits her undergraduate work in psychology, as well as her eight years on the bench, for shaping her views on adult offenders with mental health problems.

"I really have an interest in psychology. I am so glad that we have that aspect in the Adult Treatment Court." Kumar said. "It's really satisfying to see people take an interest in their issue, asking for and getting help. You couldn't ask for a better reward than that."

Funding for Oakland County's ATC is provided through grants from the State Court Administrative Office, Oakland County, and The RESTORE Foundation, Kumar said. Judge Mary Ellen Brennan guides the juvenile drug court program, while Judge Joan Young presides over the male track of the ATC.

According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the yearly cost of incarcerating an inmate in Michigan is $35,000, while it costs and average of $5,000 for an Adult Treatment Court participant. Nationwide, Adult Treatment Courts return $2.21 for every dollar invested.

Acknowledging the advantages of the financial savings to the county, Kumar said the benefits extend beyond the bottom line.

"The monetary savings is an important benefit to the county and the state, but the benefits the ATC participants receive from the program are what I find rewarding."

Published: Thu, Dec 10, 2015

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