Problem Solving Courts

Problem-solving courts focus on resolving the underlying chronic anti-social behaviors of defendants. The most common type of problem-solving court is the drug court, but other examples include: family drug treatment courts, mental health courts, domestic violence courts, homeless courts, teen courts, tobacco courts, and veteran courts.

Generally, a problem-solving court involves a single judge devoted to a single type of case who uses pending criminal sanctions or other powerful incentive – such as losing custody of a child - to compel a defendant's compliance with treatment over a period of time. The judge works with a community treatment team to develop a case plan and to closely monitor a defendant's compliance with the case plan. If the defendant complies with the case plan, criminal sanctions are not imposed, but if the defendant fails to comply, criminal sanctions are imposed.

In Texas, criminal drug court programs are governed by Chapter 469, Health and Safety Code, and family drug court programs are governed by Chapter 264, Subchapter J, (§§264.801 et seq.) Family Code. Oversight is delegated by Chapter 469 to the Governor's Criminal Justice Division.

Further Resources