Celebrating Treatment Court graduation

A courtroom is not a place you expect to see scenes of celebration and tears of joy, but in St. Louis County Circuit Court that is exactly what happens during Treatment Court graduation. Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities. Instead of simply punishing people, Treatment Court offers evidence-based treatment that includes therapy, drug testing, community service, and frequent check-ins to ensure accountability and compassion to save lives and reunite families. Circuit Court overhauled and fine-tuned its Treatment Court this summer, developing new screening and eligibility processes to ensure efficient case flow. More than 1,300 graduates have successfully completed the Treatment Court program, including 59 graduates in 2022. Treatment Court participants in the DWI program contributed 100 hours of community service during the program to several organizations such as Calvary Horse Farm and the Second Chance Ranch. Treatment Court also partnered with St. Louis County Problem Properties team for clean-up projects once each month.