Treatment and Specialty Dockets
The Vermont Judiciary operates treatment court dockets and specialty dockets throughout the state. These dockets offer individuals with substance use disorders and mental health conditions the opportunity to enter treatment and avoid certain consequences, such as incarceration or termination of parental rights. The goals of these dockets include keeping communities safe, supporting treatment for participants, and ending defendants' criminal or harmful conduct.
Process Evaluation Results
Treatment court dockets and specialty dockets are programs for certain criminal defendants and offenders, juvenile offenders, and parents with pending child welfare cases who have a substance use disorders and/or mental health issues. Participants must follow program rules and show up for treatment and court hearings. Each program has a team to help people stop using drugs and committing crimes. The teams use rewards for good choices and sanctions for harmful choices to help people learn how to get and stay sober and live law-abiding lives. The judge and the team help each participant pursue work, education, and other goals that will lead to a better life. Treatment dockets help people get the treatment they need and lead to safer communities at a cost savings to the state.
The video below was created by the Justice Programs Office at American University as a tool to raise awareness about treatment courts and provide an overview to public officials, or potential community partners:
WATCH: Drug Courts Explained
The Judiciary currently operates the following dockets:
- Chittenden Adult Drug Treatment Court Docket and Adult Mental Health Treatment Docket
- Rutland Adult Drug Treatment Court Docket
- Washington Adult Drug Treatment Court Docket
- Windsor DUI Treatment Docket
To find out more, contact:
Kim Owens
Treatment Court Programs Manager
9 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
Phone: 802-786-8857
Fax: 802-786-5888
kim.owens@vermont.gov