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
Prosecutor
- Katie McNulty, Supervisor
- Alicia Bell
Public Defender
- Alison McPeek
Clinical Services Provider
- Pioneer Human Services
Community Corrections Officer (CCO)
- David Kinner
Coordinator
- Lindsay Lanham, MSW
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.