A “treatment court” is the result of a unique partnership between the criminal justice system and the treatment community. It structures treatment intervention around the authority and personal involvement of a single treatment court judge. It is dependent on the creation of a non-adversarial courtroom atmosphere, where a single judge and a dedicated treatment court team can work together to break the cycle of drug abuse and criminal behavior. Currently there are more than 90 treatment courts in Wisconsin alone, and many more across the country. After almost 3 years of planning, training, and fundraising, the Door County Treatment Court will begin operating this October. The creation of our local treatment court has been a collaborative process with the Judiciary, law enforcement, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Corrections, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Pubic Defender’s office. This court’s funding was made possible by Door County and by grants from the State Department of Justice. Door County’s Treatment Court will focus on eligible offenders whose criminal acts are associated with ongoing, habitual substance abuse. They must plead guilty or no contest in their charges, while also agreeing to being placed on probation with a condition being participation in the treatment court. Any unsuccessful participants will return to court for sentencing. It is not designed for every offender, but is a tool to be used in appropriate cases in hopes of providing effective rehabilitation.
