Leadership Academy Learns About Judicial System
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Reed reviewed the history of the Kosciusko Judicial system. Superior 1 Court Judge Duane Huffer explained the current workings of the judicial system. City of Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker covered law enforcement in the area.
One of the common themes among the presenters is the increase in the number of people currently serving time in the Kosciusko County jail. The jail population is currently more than 300.
Drug addiction and substance abuse significantly contributes to the number of people incarcerated. Reed and Whitaker announced the creation and opening of Kosciusko County's Drug Court. Individuals that commit nonviolent crimes due to the influence or dependence on drugs may receive a recommendation from the prosecuting attorney for a drug court evaluation. Once the person completes the clinical screening, the drug court team will determine if the person is a candidate for drug court. If the person is approved, the offender and the family receive a complete explanation of the requirements, regulations and expectations. The offender that chooses to participate will then sign an agreement.
Drug Court typically lasts 18 to 24 months. There are three phases of the court. Individuals involved in the process will also have employment, education and financial responsibilities.
Reed supervises the participants of the drug court. There is a team of individuals that are also involved including the prosecuting attorney, addiction abuse counselors, drug court coordinator, law enforcement officers, probation officers, case workers, transitional living representatives and adult education representatives. The goal of the drug court is to help the individual reduce the dependence on drugs through this cooperative approach and become a contributing member of society.
Drug addictions are very difficult to overcome, but with the help and guidance of this team of professionals, there is hope. The drug court anticipates successes, setbacks, and possibly even failures.
“If one person can complete drug court and once again become a contributing member of society, that is one life and one family that we have successfully improved for the good of the person and our community,” stated Reed. Offenders that participate in drug court will incur less expense to taxpayers in comparison to the cost to taxpayers of incarceration.
Whitaker shared information about DARE and the school resource officers. One benefit of the program, beyond the obvious, is the respect and communication that develops between the officers and the students at the school. Huffer explained the judicial system in Kosciusko County and the assignment of cases. Huffer also mentioned his upcoming retirement. Huffer has been a speaker for KLA for many years.
The next KLA session will be Feb. 4 at the Syracuse Community Center to learn about the economics of Kosciusko County.
KLA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.[[In-content Ad]]
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Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Reed reviewed the history of the Kosciusko Judicial system. Superior 1 Court Judge Duane Huffer explained the current workings of the judicial system. City of Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker covered law enforcement in the area.
One of the common themes among the presenters is the increase in the number of people currently serving time in the Kosciusko County jail. The jail population is currently more than 300.
Drug addiction and substance abuse significantly contributes to the number of people incarcerated. Reed and Whitaker announced the creation and opening of Kosciusko County's Drug Court. Individuals that commit nonviolent crimes due to the influence or dependence on drugs may receive a recommendation from the prosecuting attorney for a drug court evaluation. Once the person completes the clinical screening, the drug court team will determine if the person is a candidate for drug court. If the person is approved, the offender and the family receive a complete explanation of the requirements, regulations and expectations. The offender that chooses to participate will then sign an agreement.
Drug Court typically lasts 18 to 24 months. There are three phases of the court. Individuals involved in the process will also have employment, education and financial responsibilities.
Reed supervises the participants of the drug court. There is a team of individuals that are also involved including the prosecuting attorney, addiction abuse counselors, drug court coordinator, law enforcement officers, probation officers, case workers, transitional living representatives and adult education representatives. The goal of the drug court is to help the individual reduce the dependence on drugs through this cooperative approach and become a contributing member of society.
Drug addictions are very difficult to overcome, but with the help and guidance of this team of professionals, there is hope. The drug court anticipates successes, setbacks, and possibly even failures.
“If one person can complete drug court and once again become a contributing member of society, that is one life and one family that we have successfully improved for the good of the person and our community,” stated Reed. Offenders that participate in drug court will incur less expense to taxpayers in comparison to the cost to taxpayers of incarceration.
Whitaker shared information about DARE and the school resource officers. One benefit of the program, beyond the obvious, is the respect and communication that develops between the officers and the students at the school. Huffer explained the judicial system in Kosciusko County and the assignment of cases. Huffer also mentioned his upcoming retirement. Huffer has been a speaker for KLA for many years.
The next KLA session will be Feb. 4 at the Syracuse Community Center to learn about the economics of Kosciusko County.
KLA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.[[In-content Ad]]
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