In 2007, NACDL established a Problem-Solving Courts Task Force to examine the operations of
courts such as drug and mental health courts. NACDL’s Task Force on Problem Solving Courts
was charged with conducting a thorough analysis of these courts, specifically focusing upon the
ethical implications for the defense bar and the constitutional implications for society at large.
To fully understand the ramifications of Problem Solving Courts, the Task Force conducted 7
hearings throughout the country in San Francisco, Miami, Tucson, New York, Milwaukee,
Austin and the District of Columbia. The culmination of this project is a comprehensive report
and recommendations that for the first time provide the perspective of the nation’s criminal
defense bar.
On September 29, 2009, the Task Force released America's Problem Solving Courts: The Criminal Costs of Treatment and the Case for Reform. The intent of this report is to seek
implementation of the recommendations in jurisdictions throughout the country.
Below are the report, mission statement, hearing schedules, witness list and other information
related to the task force hearings.
If you have any questions about the efforts of the Task Force please contact Angelyn Frazer at angelyn@nacdl.org or (202) 872-8600 x242.
PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS SYMPOSIUM: THE PROS AND CONS OF TREATMENT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Tuesday April 20, 2010 - 6:00 – 9:00 PM New York County Lawyers’ Association 14 Vesey Street, 2nd Floor Auditorium New York, NY 10007-2992
Confirmed Panelists Include:
Justin Barry, New York City Drug Court Coordinator Honorable Marcia Hirsch, Presiding Justice, Queens Treatment Court Marvin Schechter, Co-Chair, NACDL Problem-Solving Courts Task Force Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director, Brooklyn Defender Services Candice Singer, Policy Analyst, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence New Jersey Anne Swern, 1st Assistant District Attorney, Office of Kings County District Attorney
Moderator: Joel M. Schumm, Professor, Indiana University School of Law
Co-Sponsored by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the
Criminal Justice Section of the New York County Lawyers’ Association and the New York State
Bar Association Criminal Justice Section
To examine problem-solving courts, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
(NACDL), the Criminal Justice Section of the New York County Lawyers’ Association and the
New York State Bar Association Criminal Justice Section are co-sponsoring a symposium in
which interested groups will debate the various functions of problem-solving courts, including
access, standards and whether those most in need of treatment are being served. The
discussion will focus on how we can effectively find solutions to some of society’s concerns
while balancing individual constitutional rights.
Problem-Solving Courts Symposium Explores Pros, Cons of Treatment
Born out of NACDL’s groundbreaking report, America’s Problem-Solving Courts: The Criminal Costs of Treatment and the Case for Reform, NACDL, the New York County Lawyers’ Association’s Criminal Justice Section (NYCLA) and the New York State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section hosted an evening symposium, Problem-Solving Courts: The Pros and Cons of Treatment in the Criminal Justice System at the NYCLA Home of Law in New York City April 20.Panelists discussed the various functions of problem-solving courts, including access, standards and whether those most in need of treatment are being served. The discussion focused on how to effectively find solutions to some of society’s concerns while balancing individual constitutional rights. Audience participation led to a lively discussion as to whether those addicted should be required to plead guilty in order to access treatment and whether the issue of addiction should be dealt with in the criminal justice arena or treated as a health issue. Of course no consensus was established, so the debate continues.
The Symposium, which was free and open to the public, included the following panelists: Hon. Marcia P. Hirsch, Presiding Justice, Queens Treatment Court; Justin Barry, coordinator, New York City Citywide Drug Court; Marvin Schechter, co-chair, NACDL’s Problem-Solving Courts Task Force; Lisa Schreibersdorf, Esq., executive director, Brooklyn Defender Services; Candice Singer, policy analyst, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, New Jersey; and Anne Swern, first assistant district attorney, Kings County, in charge of the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison Program, the first prosecution-run program in the country to divert prison-bound felony offenders into residential drug treatment.Joel M. Schumm, professor of law at the Indiana University School of Law, served as moderator.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
1660 L St., NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-8600 • Fax (202) 872-8690 •
assist@nacdl.org
