The 64th graduation of the 55th District Court Sobriety Court was held March 12 in Chief Judge Donald L. Allen Jr.’s courtroom at the Ingham County Justice Complex.
“Our Sobriety Court continues to be a win-win situation, proving rehabilitation effectively protects the community, saves significant taxpayer money, and returns citizens to productive lives,” said Judge Allen, who presides over the program.
“We are very proud of our program, our participants, and of the community support we consistently receive. The long term success of Sobriety Court is based upon close supervision of probationers by an interdisciplinary team dedicated to the safety of our community.”
With this ceremony, the program marks 868 successful graduates since becoming operational in 2004.
According to research conducted by the Michigan Supreme Court, these graduates will be significantly less likely to be convicted of new alcohol or drug related offenses in the future.
Their research also demonstrates the 55th District Court Sobriety Court consistently outperforms similar programs in Michigan, with higher graduation and lower recidivism rates.
More information can be found in the Michigan Supreme Court’s FY 2024 Problem-Solving Courts Annual Report, tracking the progress and highlighting the success of 246 problem-solving courts (PSCs) across Michigan from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
“None of this would be possible without the support of so many, including trial courts across the state, dedicated judges and PSC team members, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the unwavering and bipartisan support from various Michigan legislators and governors during the last 30-plus years,” said Justice Kyra Bolden, the Michigan Supreme Court’s liaison to problem-solving courts. “For everyone who has supported PSCs: thank you for your compassion and commitment to keeping communities safer and for caring about individuals who suffer from substance use and mental health disorders.”
Key report findings:
• Michigan’s adult sobriety, drug, and hybrid programs grew from 98 programs in FY 2018 to 114 programs in FY 2024.
• Graduates of adult sobriety, drug, and hybrid court programs were, on average, 3 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within five years of admission to a program.
• Sobriety court graduates who used an ignition interlock device were nearly 8 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission.
Problem-solving courts focus on providing treatment and intense supervision to participants as an alternative to incarceration. The Supreme Court, through its State Court Administrative Office, assists trial court judges in management of these courts by providing training, education, operational standards, monitoring, certification requirements, and funding.
“Our Sobriety Court continues to be a win-win situation, proving rehabilitation effectively protects the community, saves significant taxpayer money, and returns citizens to productive lives,” said Judge Allen, who presides over the program.
“We are very proud of our program, our participants, and of the community support we consistently receive. The long term success of Sobriety Court is based upon close supervision of probationers by an interdisciplinary team dedicated to the safety of our community.”
With this ceremony, the program marks 868 successful graduates since becoming operational in 2004.
According to research conducted by the Michigan Supreme Court, these graduates will be significantly less likely to be convicted of new alcohol or drug related offenses in the future.
Their research also demonstrates the 55th District Court Sobriety Court consistently outperforms similar programs in Michigan, with higher graduation and lower recidivism rates.
More information can be found in the Michigan Supreme Court’s FY 2024 Problem-Solving Courts Annual Report, tracking the progress and highlighting the success of 246 problem-solving courts (PSCs) across Michigan from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
“None of this would be possible without the support of so many, including trial courts across the state, dedicated judges and PSC team members, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the unwavering and bipartisan support from various Michigan legislators and governors during the last 30-plus years,” said Justice Kyra Bolden, the Michigan Supreme Court’s liaison to problem-solving courts. “For everyone who has supported PSCs: thank you for your compassion and commitment to keeping communities safer and for caring about individuals who suffer from substance use and mental health disorders.”
Key report findings:
• Michigan’s adult sobriety, drug, and hybrid programs grew from 98 programs in FY 2018 to 114 programs in FY 2024.
• Graduates of adult sobriety, drug, and hybrid court programs were, on average, 3 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within five years of admission to a program.
• Sobriety court graduates who used an ignition interlock device were nearly 8 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission.
Problem-solving courts focus on providing treatment and intense supervision to participants as an alternative to incarceration. The Supreme Court, through its State Court Administrative Office, assists trial court judges in management of these courts by providing training, education, operational standards, monitoring, certification requirements, and funding.
Lt. Aaron Lightner from Lansing Township Police Dept., with Sobriety Court graduate Elaine Chamberlain at the 55th District Court Sobriety Court Graduation in Mason.
Photo courtesy of 55th District Court Sobriety Court
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