Drug Court
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
The Team
Greta Stirling Friedman, Judge
La Porte County Superior Court 4
Corissa Strader, Coordinator/Case Manager
La Porte County Probation Department
Stephen T. Eyrick, Chief Probation Officer
La Porte County Probation Department
William J. Nelson Jr, Defense Attorney
Braje Nelson & Janes LLP
David K. Payne, Defense Attorney
Braje, Nelson & Janes, LLP
Barbra Stooksbury, Deputy Prosecutor
La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office
Kelly Johnson, Director
La Porte County Drug and Alcohol Program
Roxann Justus, Healthcare Professional
Holly Grushka, La Porte County Community Corrections
Katie Jasnieski, Chief Executive Officer, Swanson Center
John Downs, Treatment Provider
Healthlink
Connor Zelasko, Treatment Provider, Healthlink
Sergeant Adam Hannon, La Porte County Sheriff’s Department
Lieutenant Jeff Holt, La Porte County Sheriff’s Department
Corporal Matt Babcock, Michigan City Police Department
Ashley Ortega, Intensive Case Manager
La Porte County Probation Department
Angela Case, Bailiff
La Porte County Superior Court 4
EXTERNAL LINKS
La Porte County Problem Solving Court was established May of 2012 as an alternative to traditional case processing of substance dependent offenders. It is a voluntary program in which eligible offenders participate in an intense, multi-phase treatment program, submit to frequent drug testing and attend other appropriate court ordered programs while under the supervision of the Problem Solving Court Judge. Participants must attend services for a minimum of 18 months. Successful participants may have their charges dismissed or modified.
The La Porte County Problem Solving Court is in the process of obtaining a Non-profit organization status. This status will be beneficial to the program in funding for programming and incentives. The incentives motivate and encourage our participants and the programming supports growth in the recovery journey. These aspects enable the program to hold substance addicted offenders accountable, while reducing recidivism in La Porte County.
MISSION STATEMENT
“The La Porte County Problem Solving Court is dedicated to holding high risk, substance addicted offenders accountable and reducing recidivism by frequent judicial review, individualized treatment and intensive supervision.”
ALL RISE VIDEO
10 KEY COMPONENTS
Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
Using a non adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights.
Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.
Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and their related treatment and rehabilitation services.
Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other random drug testing.
A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance
Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential
Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.
THE PHASES
- Attend orientation and comply with conditions of the participation handbook
- Attend weekly progress hearings
- Complete intake at treatment program
- Attend treatment as scheduled
- Meet with Case Manager as scheduled
- Obtain photo identification
- Apply for medical assistance (if required)
- Comply with weekly random drug testing
- Submit a written request to advance to the next phase
- Attend weekly progress hearings and treatment
- Attend three self-help meetings weekly
- Meet with Case Manager as scheduled
- Schedule health physical
- Start searching for education/employment
- Present relapse prevention plan to the Court
- Comply with weekly random drug testing
- Submit a written request to advance to the next phase
- Attend biweekly progress hearings and treatment
- Attend weekly appointments with Case Manager
- Attend five self-help meetings weekly
- Must obtain employment, be enrolled in school, or volunteer 20 hours with a not-for-profit
- Complete weekly community projects
- Develop a plan to meet financial obligations
- Comply with weekly random drug testing
- Submit a written request to advance to the next phase
- Attend monthly progress hearings and treatment
- Attend four self-help meetings weekly
- Attend one meeting with Case Manager weekly
- Maintain employment, be enrolled in school, or volunteer 20 hours with a not-for-profit
- Participate in community enrichment as directed
- Implement plan to meet financial obligations
- Comply with weekly random drug testing
- Submit a written request to advance to the next phase
- Attend monthly progress hearings and treatment
- Present updated relapse prevention plan to the Court
- Remain arrest and substance-free for 90 days before graduation
- Attend one meeting with Case Manager bi-weekly
- Maintain employment, be enrolled in school, or volunteer 20 hours with a not-for-profit
- Volunteer one hour per week for a local community agency
- Volunteer monthly to help serve a meal at the Pax Center
- Prepare and present an aftercare plan to the Court
- Sustain plan to meet financial obligations
- Attend three self-help meetings weekly
- Participate in the Alumni Group
- Submit a written request to graduate from the program
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GALLERY
People never change because hey are under threat or under duress. Never. They change because they see something that makes their life seem valuable enought to start moving toward a life worth living.
- Robert Downey, Jr.
Get In Touch
Need to talk to someone? Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Let’s try to get you to the information you need