6 Prof. Caroline Cooper

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica. La necesidad de un enfoque diferente.

Theoretical Framework Model of Addiction Treatment Courts in the Context of Therapeutic Jurisprudence. The Need for a Different Approach

November 21, 2013 Caroline S. Cooper

Investigadora y Directora de la Oficina de Programas de Justicia de la Escuela de Políticas Públicas de la American University. Washington, D.C. Estados Unidos

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

How can the concepts of Therapeutic Jurisprudence be applied specifically: • To drug offenders?

• In a drug court model?

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Key Concepts of Therapeutic Jurisprudence to Apply: • Legal Landscape: Laws and Procedures • Using the Law as a Therapeutic Tool

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Legal Landscape: Laws and Procedures • Current Transition from Inquisitorial to Accusatorial System • Laws may change • Process will definitely change, particularly at the “front end” to provide major augmentation to current therapeutic opportunities at the “back end” for persons already incarcerated.

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Legal Landscape: Laws and Procedures (cont.)

• New Procedures the Accusatorial System may introduce: • Screening of charges (Prosecutor) • Initial assessment of the case (Prosecutor and Defense) • Initial assessment of the defendant (Judge) • Prior contact with the justice system • Mental health issues presented?

• Nature of substance use?

• Custody status pretrial?

– Release to community?

– Detain in custody?

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Legal Landscape: Laws and Procedures (cont.)

• Conditions of Release/Detention: (Judge and Treatment) • Drug use assessment and services • Mental health assessment and services • Feasibility of individual’s participation in Drug Treatment Court

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Using the Law as a Therapeutic Tool

• Opportunity for treatment of underlying problems that bring people into the justice system • Domestic violence • Use of alcohol and other drugs • Mental health issues (estimated over 50% of defendants)

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Using the Law as a Therapeutic Tool (cont.)

• New Role for All Parties:

• To address the underlying problems that bring an individual into the court system • To provide necessary services at the same time as protecting public safety

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Using the Law as a Therapeutic Tool (cont.)

• Strengthened Role for the Judge • Oversight of the progress of the individual participant/motivation to continue • Coordination of services stakeholders need to provide

Marco teórico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terapéutica

Using the Law as a Therapeutic Tool (cont.)

• Drug Court Model • Drug Treatment Court Model provides a mechanism for:

• Applying the concepts of Therapeutic Jurisprudence to the court process • Particular application for drug involved offenders through – Recognition of addiction as a chronic disease of the brain that requires treatment vs. punitive approach of the justice system – Recognition also that drug use presents a serious public safety, social and public health problem for the community

Marco te贸rico del Modelo de los Tribunales de Tratamiento de Adicciones dentro del contexto de la Justicia Terap茅utica

Strategies for implementing the Drug Treatment Court model will be discussed in our next presentations

Thank you.

Resources: www.american.edu/justice