Drug Court Earns Recertification
The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Traditional Drug Court docket has received updated certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.
In order to receive the three-year certification, the court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went into effect in January 2014.
The Traditional Drug Court, presided over by Judge Kelly Ann Gallagher, adheres to science-based principals, only accepting those with substance use disorders, and providing them the wrap-around services through accountability and therapeutic approaches to decrease their chances of becoming justice involved in the future. Since beginning in 2009, Drug Court has graduated more than 1,300 individuals, returning them to their communities as sober citizens. The certification is valid through December of 2028.
“Addiction and its underlying issues factor into many cases that come before our Court,” says Judge Gallagher. “I can’t say enough about the hard work and compassion shown by our Drug Court team.”
Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior.
The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court has three additional Drug Court Dockets, as well as specialty dockets for veterans, mental health and developmental disabilities, high risk domestic violence cases, and gun violence intervention.