Abstract
Problem-solving courts were born out of a well-meaning experimentalist spirit, a spirit that is very much in line with the vision of a recent symposium on the multidoor criminal courthouse. These courts, which include drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, and many other specialized criminal courts, were created as a way to close one door to the criminal courthouse — the so-called “revolving door” that appeared to bring some people accused of crimes back into court as soon as they exited. Problem-solving court judges sought to open a different door for some of those who entered their courtrooms, one that they hoped would lead out of the criminal system entirely. The judges attempted to realize this goal by offering treatment instead of, or in addition to, incarceration under the belief that such interventions would prevent people from committing crimes in the future.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Recommended Citation
Erin R. Collins, Alternate Approaches: Beyond Problem Solving Courts, 108 Judicature 55 (2025).
