Specialized Courts
Clark County District Court has developed four specialized problem-solving courts that utilize therapeutic jurisprudence, preventive law, and restorative justice to assure the safety of victims and hold the offender accountable. Restorative justice is one of the good problem-solving approaches that are being developed in the court and legal reform movement. It focuses on restoring the victim using a variety of approaches. Restorative justice cannot be defined by examples because it is a general framework for viewing crime and its aftermath. It is not any particular program or technique. Restorative justice can be compared to the traditional system as follows: the traditional system asks three questions: who is the perpetrator; what law was violated; and how do we punish that person? Restorative justice, on the other hand, asks a different set of questions: first and foremost, what is the harm that has been caused; secondly, how do we fix that harm; and third, who is responsible for that repair? When the restorative justice questions are asked, a very different focus for justice seeking is arrived at. You become future oriented and you look to the people most affected by the wrong. If you ask what has happened to those people you often find that their basic trust has been undermined, they also feel powerless and violated. When we employ restorative justice we are attempting to empower people to take back control of their lives, their neighborhoods and their property.
The four specialized courts differ from a regular court in three fundamental respects. First, the cases are heard on a separate calendar and are all handled by the same core team of professionals. Second, there is an increased emphasis on linking the criminal justice system, treatment and community services. Third, the participants in the specialized court programs are monitored using risk management techniques and receive increased court supervision to increase public safety.
The Clark County Specialized Court programs have received national recognition as outstanding pioneering programs. They have been recognized at five international conferences, in the publications of the State Justice Institute and the National Center for State Courts as well as in the academic writings of Bruce Winick, David Wexler and others.
Clark County Domestic Violence Court
The Clark County Domestic Violence Court breaks the cycle of domestic violence and holds the perpetrator accountable.
- "Domestic Violence Response Interview" (15 minute video) You will need Windows Media Player version 9 or higher installed on your computer to watch this streaming video. If you do not already have WM Player installed, a free download is available on the Microsoft Windows Media Web page.
Clark County Mental Health Court
The Clark County Mental Health Court improves public safety and avoids unnecessary recycling of individuals with significant mental illness through the justice system. It accomplishes this by applying a rigorous risk management program while diverting mentally ill offenders into a structured treatment program.
Clark County Substance Abuse Court
The Clark County Substance Abuse Court uses proven drug court
techniques to address the needs of substance abusers who commit
criminal acts.
Clark County Homeless Court
The Clark County Homeless Court provides an avenue for homeless misdemeanant offenders to find a resolution to their legal obligation towards the larger goal of self sufficiency.
