Team Members and Staffing

Team Members


The team is comprised of the judge, prosecutor, public defender, case manager representing treatment, a community corrections officer representing the department of corrections, and the therapeutic courts coordinator. While the decision-making authority resides with the judge, the team works in a cooperative and non-adversarial manner with the common goal of helping participants to break the cycle of drug abuse and criminal behavior. Based on available information and the discussion, the judge determines actions, including sanctions and incentives.

Daily communication among team members occurs with regard to participant status and procedural decisions.

Judge


  • Honorable Rachelle Anderson, courtroom 305
The Judge is the centerpiece, providing the balance between accountability and successful treatment through periodic judicial status hearings. These hearings provide the setting and authority to administer timely sanctions and rewards with consistency and certainty. This result is accomplished through strong teamwork in weekly pre-hearing reviews with the entire team.

Prosecutor


  • Katie McNulty, Supervisor
  • Alicia Bell
The Prosecutor is the gatekeeper, screening all new referrals to determine an individual's eligibility based on defined criteria, balancing community safety needs with potential therapeutic outcomes.

Public Defender


  •  Alison McPeek
The Public Defender initially advises all prospective clients of their constitutional rights and legal options with potential sentencing outcomes, then serves as the client's legal adviser while in the program.

Clinical Services Provider

 
  • Pioneer Human Services
Pioneer is the primary provider for the full array of clinical treatment services and case management.  A Pioneer court liaison presents individual treatment reports at the weekly team staffing reviews and provides clinical recommendations.

Community Corrections Officer (CCO)


  •  David Kinner
The CCO is the "eyes and ears" of the Judge in the community, responsible for community safety through monitoring housing arrangements, employment, and other field-supervision activities.

Coordinator

 
  • Lindsay Lanham, MSW
The Felony Therapeutic Courts Coordinator is responsible for oversight of programmatic policies and procedures, financial resources and education/training.

Team Staffing Reviews


Meeting weekly one hour prior to the court reviews, the team staffs every client that is scheduled to appear before the court and every potential client that is being considered to enter the program. Each team member is afforded an opportunity to provide input relevant to each client. This process is conducted in an orderly and efficient manner due to the volume of clients reviewed. Some clients require a longer period to staff due to unusual life issues, legal circumstances, or noncompliance. Clients in compliance - functioning well and on course - may only need a cursory examination.

The team's input is valuable - even if there is disagreement among members - so that the Judge is provided comprehensive information. Because the ultimate decision resides with the Judge, it is important the Judge's decisions exercise leadership based on fact and historical information, while relying on judicial experience, expertise, and training.