Louisiana Chief Justice's Problem-Solving Vision

Text of State of Judiciary in Louisians, according to a blog by Ted Bartlett at http://bartlett-legal.com/2009/05/06/la-s-ct-2009-state-of-the-judiciary/

Excerpt:

We have worked with you to develop one of the most extensive drug court programs in the country because we know these programs work, and a successful drug court graduate contributes to society rather than drains it. Our drug court judges devote many, many, hours to these programs in addition to their regular dockets. Most of them do their staffing each week early in the morning before they start court for the day. They put in this extra time because they realize the value of these programs.

We have also started to explore other kinds of specialty courts such as DWI courts and mental health courts. While I recognize the potential benefit of “problem solving” courts, I believe we need to proceed cautiously and deliberately to ensure uniform standards, accountability measures, and monitoring mechanisms. To this end, we just recently applied for a federal grant to add expertise in these areas and explore the appropriate standards and best practices for our judges who are willing to take on yet additional “problem solving” court programs. We want them to have the best training and employ the best methods possible to these new kinds of judging. Ideally, these programs will have the ultimate effect of reducing the long term costs of incarceration.