Overview

What are Specialty Courts?

Specialty courts are problem-solving courts that operate under a specialized model to provide court-directed supervision and mandated treatment to nonviolent individuals with substance use or mental health issues underlying their criminal behavior. Specialty Court judges typically impose a strenuous regimen of treatment and accountability that requires a strong personal commitment from participants to take control of their lives to eliminate substance use and sustain a crime-free lifestyle.

All specialty courts have the following in common:

They serve a specific, targeted population with agreed-upon eligibility criteria.
They rely on consistent judicial interaction throughout the duration of the program.
They require collaboration among a multidisciplinary team made up of judicial, treatment, supervision, legal staff, and other parties to adhere to best practices.

Research on the 10 Key Components of a Drug Court underpin best practices and are foundational to the operation of all court types.