Specialized local docket receives state certification

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Courts Assisting Military Offenders – CAMO Court of the Van Wert Municipal Court has earned final certification from the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Specialized Dockets for a second time.

To receive the certification, a local court just submit a detailed application, undergo a visit and report on its practices, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went into effect in January of 2014.

Courts with specialized dockets address specific treatment needs of people who are charged with a variety of offenses using recommended best-practices that focus on offender accountability, behavior change and recovery. There are 250 certified dockets in Ohio courts with expertise in areas such as drug and alcohol addiction, mental health, domestic violence, human trafficking and veterans issues.

The certification standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio and allow local courts to innovate and tailor programs to meet their community’s needs and resources.

The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team to implement daily operations of the specialized docket. The team is headed by the specialized docket judge and can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and more.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy congratulated Judge Jill T. Worthington and the Van Wert Municipal Court for meeting the standards required for final certification.

“Specialized dockets offer an alternative to incarceration, and reflect a community’s belief in second chances,” Justice Kennedy said. “They focus on people who are willing to work to overcome the personal challenges that led to their involvement in the justice system. The court and community partners work together to supervise treatment, training, and support, providing local solutions to local problems under leadership of the local court.”

“It has truly been amazing to see the transformation of our participants reclaim their lives and come back to themselves with pride and dignity,” Judge Worthington said of the CAMO Court program. “To be able to offer someone who has sacrificed so much for the benefit of our country, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences at Van Wert Municipal Court to see these veterans again raise their heads high with pride and accomplishment.”

“The Van Wert CAMO Court brings back structure to these veterans lives,” said Program Director and Chief Probation Officer John Wiley, himself a veteran. “It has been my extreme privilege and honor to be able to help and guide these participants through some of the worst times of their lives. The participants and the staff of CAMO Court form a bond during the program and have a great deal of respect for each other.

“I consider them not only as participants but my close friends as well,” he added.

CAMO Court began with initial certification on January 21, 2021, after which the veteran’s treatment program had to undergo administrative review and a site visit from the Ohio Supreme Court. Program certification is for a term of three years. The current program certification will expire December 31, 2029.

Since its inception, CAMO Court has had a 64 percent successful program completion rate. This program has received $450,000 in grant funds and has spent over $262,000 for addiction and mental health treatment, drug/alcohol testing, medication assisted treatment, recovery support, including food and housing assistance, along with subsidizing specialized docket staff compensation.

The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members to advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts, the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts, and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.