Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor.

In opening remarks today at the 2012 Specialized Dockets Practitioner Network Conference in Columbus, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor focused on upcoming certification requirements for drug courts and other specialized dockets that go into effect next year.

Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton also spoke at the conference and reviewed the history of specialized dockets.

More than 350 judges, court staff, attorneys, and treatment staff representing 140-plus specialized dockets operating in Ohio including drug, mental health, OVI, sex offender, and domestic violence courts attended the ninth annual conference.

“Participation in this Specialized Docket Practitioner Network program is evidence of your commitment to excellence in providing appropriate evidence-based treatment for every participant in your programs,” Chief Justice O’Connor said.

“Running a successful specialized docket program is a team effort,” Chief Justice O’Connor added. “It takes the judge, court staff, treatment professionals, and community leaders to truly make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with the issues that bring them to your courts.”

Since the establishment of the Hamilton County Drug Court in 1995, Ohio has been recognized as a national leader in the implementation of specialized dockets. In 2001, the Supreme Court created the Specialized Dockets Section to assist and support local courts in developing specialized programs uniquely tailored to helping specific populations within the court system. The late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer was instrumental in establishing the first specialized dockets in Ohio.

About a week ago, the Ohio Supreme Court adopted rule amendments that outline the procedures to receive Supreme Court certification for a specialized docket program. Under the certification amendments, courts operating specialized dockets would be required to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and submit specific program materials to the Specialized Docket Section as part of the certification process.

In addition, specialized dockets that comply with the initial stages of the certification process would be initially certified pending a final review. Specialized docket programs will be required to be initially certified by January 1, 2014.

The amendments also create a new Commission on Specialized Dockets and amend the definition of a specialized docket in the Code of Judicial Conduct. The new commission will be the body that applies the certification requirements and determines which programs are certified.

“By meeting the challenge of the certification process, specialized dockets will ensure that a minimum level of standard practices greets Ohioans no matter where they live in the state,” Chief Justice O’Connor said.