A Closer Look at Specialized Courts

Since the late 1980's, there has been an increasing number of specialized courts established across the country that employ rehabilitation and treatment-oriented options in senetencing.  In recent years in Massachusetts, the number of specialty courts (drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans treatment courts) have increased substantially.  These specialty courts target high risk and high need offenders by providing them with intensive judicial and probation supervision in order to identify and address the fundamental reasons for their criminal conduct, including substance use disorder and co-occuring mental health issues. This program, moderated by Chief Justice Paul Dawley, will discuss the history of specialty courts, the fundamental principles that govern the operation of specialty courts, and the results experienced by specialty court team members.  The panelists will include judges and specialty court team members.