Problem-solving courts are specialized dockets within the criminal justice system developed to address the underlying problem(s) which contribute to the commission of criminal offenses. A problem-solving court involves close collaboration among the supervising judge(s) and government and community service partners who collectively develop appropriate and individualized supervision and service plans for each participant. The problem-solving court and team closely monitor a participant’s progress and compliance in the program while offering positive encouragement and incentives, as well as imposing appropriate sanctions when necessary. Problem-solving courts differ from traditional courts in that they promote both recovery for the participant, as well as improving community safety by focusing on a specialized population.
The Problem-solving courts of the Criminal Division include: