Beyond Problem-Solving Courts

Authors

Erin R. Collins, University of Richmond School of Law

Abstract

Problem-solving courts were borne out of well-meaning experimentalist spirit, a spirit that is very much in line with the vision of this Symposium on the multi-door criminal courthouse. These courts, which include drug courts, mental health courts, veterans' courts, and many other specialized criminal courts, were created as a way to close one door to the criminal courthouse-the so-called "revolving door" that appeared to bring some people accused of crimes back into court as soon as they exited. Problem-solving court judges sought to open a different door for some of those who entered their courtrooms, a door that they hoped would lead out of the criminal system entirely. The judges attempted to realize this goal by offering treatment instead of, or in addition to, incarceration under the belief that such interventions would prevent people from committing crimes in the future.

Keywords

Courts, Judges, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law and Procedure

Disciplines

Courts | Criminal Law | Criminal Procedure | Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Judges | Jurisprudence | Law

Recommended Citation

Erin R. Collins, Beyond Problem-Solving Courts, 25 Cardozo J. Conflict Resol. 229 (2023).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cjcr/vol25/iss2/3