Lorain Municipal Recovery docket certified by Ohio Supreme Court

LORAIN — The Lorain Municipal Court's Recovery Court docket has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on Specialized Dockets to handle specific types of offenses committed as a result of substance abuse and addiction. Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor congratulated the Lorain Municipal Court and Municipal Judge Thomas Elwell Jr. for receiving final certification. "Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society," O'Connor said. "Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars." Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. "Addiction is one of the most pressing issues facing the court system, and society as a whole," Elwell said. "A specialized docket to hear these cases has been proven to be the most effective approach to this problem. We at the court are honored to receive this certification." To receive the certification, the local 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 certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement and court personnel, and is headed by the specialized docket judge. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence and human trafficking, including in Elyria Municipal Court and Lorain County Common Pleas Court. The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio, and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community's needs and resources. 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.