A specialized docket in an Ohio court has taken center stage in theaters nationwide. The movie “Union County,” shot on location in Union and Logan counties in Ohio, is a thoughtful look at the intensive process of recovery for people with substance use disorders in the criminal justice system.

The movie follows the story of a few fictional characters. But, as the director and lead actor have said, the true stars are the non-actors who make up much of the cast. They were the participants in a Logan County Common Pleas Court specialized docket, called Adult Recovery Court, when the feature-length movie was filmed in 2025.

The movie opens with their stories during a hearing before Judge Kevin Braig, treatment coordinator and program manager Annette Deao, and other staff. The first person steps up to the podium and apologizes when he forgets to remove his baseball cap in the courtroom. A woman bubbles excitedly as she recounts her restored ability to drive to court that day, and another participant reflects on playing with her kids on Easter.

Judge Braig said he thought the public and those who work in specialized dockets would benefit from the Logan County court staff taking part in a movie that genuinely depicts what participants must accomplish to succeed under the supervision of a specialized docket team.

“I think this picture does a beautiful job of showing that being under the court’s supervision requires commitment and a lot of hard work, and that the work promotes both the personal growth of participants and healthier and safer communities,” Judge Braig said.

Specialized dockets focus on participants being accountable for their actions while also addressing the underlying issues that contributed to their involvement in the justice system. Deao saw the movie as a unique opportunity to increase awareness regarding recovery, the mental health challenges, and the role that specialized dockets can play in helping individuals rebuild their lives. 

“If the film helps even one person better understand the recovery process, or encourages someone to seek help, or if it reduces stigma or consoles a family member, then it has served an important purpose,” she said.  

Humanity and Empathy Inspire Movie
Director Adam Meeks, who spent the first years of his life in Bellefontaine, has said in interviews that he learned about the opioid epidemic’s impact on the community from family still living there. He attended specialized docket meetings, got to know people, and wanted to make the movie because of the humanity and empathy he saw – leading him to weave together the stories of the real people with fictional characters.

“I felt like if we were going to depict a community, the most authentic way to do that would be to let this real community represent themselves individually and collectively,” Meeks told Cleveland.com.

Judge Braig enjoyed working with Meeks and the producers, cast, and crew, noting they brought a tremendous amount of energy, enthusiasm, and joy to the project. Deao highlighted how impressed she was that they effectively captured the emotional realities of the recovery journey.

“The authenticity of the storytelling and how deeply the message of hope resonated with audiences has taken me back a bit,” she said. “After 22 years working in specialized dockets, I had never imagined this sort of experience. But having a national platform to share the story of hope is not taken lightly.”

Learn More About Specialized Dockets From Supreme Court
The documentary “Second Chances: One Year in Ohio’s Drug Courts” is another portrayal of the complicated struggles of people with substance use disorders and how courts can support recovery. The award-winning 2019 film, produced by Ohio Government Telecommunications for the Supreme Court of Ohio, follows the personal journeys of 19 Ohioans participating in specialized dockets in Medina, Marion, and Hocking counties.

An array of information and resources about Ohio’s specialized dockets is available from the Supreme Court. Among the materials are a map of the specialized dockets, guidance on court certifications and best practices, and training opportunities.

Courts are encouraged to share news of events, initiatives, programs, and other announcements with Court News Ohio. Ideas can be submitted to CNO@sc.ohio.gov.