Specialty Courts

Medication-Assisted Treatment Court Overview

Court Judge

Honorable Scott Freeman
Department 9

Manager
Brooke Howard

Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Hearings
Monday: 2:30 p.m.

Court Description: In 2015, the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Court became the newest program in the Second Judicial District Specialty Courts. MAT Court is designed to monitor defendants with a primary diagnosis of alcohol or opioid use disorder.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Court offers comprehensive co-occurring therapy and medication-assisted treatment to defendants and provides a formal therapeutic court to address substance use disorders, specific to opioid and alcohol use. The defendants receive medication treatment, under the direction of a court approved, board certified physician, and/or medical facility licensed to prescribe and/or administer medications. The defendants may be referred to the MAT Court by the criminal court or by referral from one of the other Specialty Courts. An assessment is required before admission to the MAT Court. The treatment programs are approximately 12 to 18 months in length and may be extended for 1 year.

Accessible Services and Support: The MAT Court values a holistic approach to help the defendants pursue and stop the cycle of substance use and criminal behavior. The Court’s programs consist of individualized treatment plans and specialized care for those diagnosed with an opioid or alcohol use disorder. A multidisciplinary team of a judge, defense and prosecution counsel, court officers, treatment providers, parole and probation officers, and drug testing staff work with the defendant. The recovery-related activities include regular meetings and individual counseling sessions throughout the defendant’s participation in the program.

The mission of the Second Judicial District Court's Specialty Courts is to improve quality of life, reduce recidivism, and increase community safety and awareness by engaging the drug and alcohol abusing defendant, or the defendant with a mental health illness, in an intensive, court supervised, treatment program. A multidisciplinary team of a judge, defense and prosecution counsel, court officers, treatment providers, parole and probation officers, and drug testing staff work with the defendant.