8. "TREATMENT COURTS" IN MINNESOTA

One of the innovations that Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea has pursued most vigorously is the adoption and expansion of "problem-solving courts" which are now officially called "treatment courts."  See here.

The idea is to help non-violent offenders to avoid jail or prison time or further criminal records by pursuing counselling and treatment for addictions to drugs or alcohol or care for mental or physical injuries which triggered the case.  In "veterans court" cases, care is also facilitated through VA programs where eligible.

Over a two- or three-year period, judges take reports from health professionals, counsellors, social workers, law enforcement, and others who report on whether the person has passed regular tests for substance abuse, attended treatment and counselling sessions, and avoided further legal problems.

As of 2017, over $5 million has been saved by using these courts by avoiding the costs of incarceration on the original charges and the costs of trials and imprisonment for persons who recover and do not commit subsequent crimes.  Hundreds of defendants have graduated from these programs, improved their lives, and avoided further criminal activity.

More details on how each of these "treatment courts" work can be found at the following posts:

9.  Veterans Courts serving 13 counties.
10.  DWI and Drug Courts serving 32 counties.
11.  Mental Health Courts serving 3 counties.
12.  A Housing Court serving 1 county.
13.  A Domestic Violence Court serving 1 county.
14.  A Family Court serving 1 county.

Veterans Treatment Court (13 counties)

Anoka County (2016)
Becker County (2014)
Blue Earth County (2013)
Brown County (2013)
Carver County (2014) *
Clay County (2014)
Faribault County (2013)
Hennepin County (2010)
Jackson County (2013)
Martin County (2013)
Nicollet County (2013)
Ramsey County (2014)
Watonwan County (2013)

DWI/Drug Courts (33 Counties)

Aitkin County (2006)
Anoka County (2016)
Becker County (2008)
Beltrami County (2007)
Blue Earth County (2008)
Brown County (2007)
Carlton County (2014)
Carver County Veterans Court (2014) *
Cass County (2006)
Clay County (2008)
Cook County (2016)
Cottonwood County (2012)
Crow Wing County (2006)
Dakota County (2008)
Dodge County (2003)
Faribault County (2007)
Hennepin County (1996)
Itasca County (2007)
Jackson County (2007)
Kittson County (2008)
Koochiching County (2005)
Lake of the Woods County (2005)
Le Sueur County (2015)
Lincoln County (2009)
Lyon County (2009)
Mahnomen County (2013)
Marshall County (2012)
Martin County (2007)
Morrison County (2014)
Nicollet County (2007)
Murray County (2012)
Nobles County (2012)
Norman County (2015)
Olmsted County (2016)
Otter Tail County (2008)
Pennington County (2012)
Pipestone County (2012)
Polk County (2015)
Ramsey County (2002)
Red Lake County (2015)
Redwood County (2009)

Rice County (2014)
Rock County (2012)
Roseau County (2017)
Scott County (2016)
St. Louis County (2002)
Stearns County (2002)
Steele County (2014)
Wabasha County (2005)
Waseca County (2014)
Watonwan County (2007)

Winona County (2012)
Wright County (2016)

Mental Health Court (3 counties)

Hennepin County (2003)
Ramsey County (2005)
St. Louis County (2013)