Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan's DEI Newsletter

Our DEI Philosophy

As we move toward the halfway point of 2024, it's important to remind all of our stakeholders that the Court's Diversity and Inclusion Team, and all employees, takes its mission seriously:

"We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."

The Court's Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment. As June approaches, we wanted to point out the following monthly recognitions.

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Drug Court Awareness Month
• National Treatment Court Month

All are part of our rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism efforts. The Court, its staff, and our community partners are passionate and dedicated to the cause of not only reducing recidivism, but also changing lives in that process.

Read more below to learn about our specialty court programs in the Criminal and Juvenile divisions and why our court, our staff, our community partners and our participants are dedicated to the success of these programs.  

Below is a poem written by an April 2024 graduate of our Veterans Court Program.

Fully Blossomed

By: David T

Graduation....Graduation, look at me now. Rejuvenated, full of hope and aspirations. Feeling accomplished, I do.

When asked "what this means to me," I ponder, and I say:

Listen to me carefully, cuz there's so many languages to speak, of them all I choose to speak facts

This day for me means I'm healing, I'm rediscovering myself, I'm starting over, fresh.

See, for far too long, I've been high off promises and drunk with dreams... dancing life away under the gaze of the moon lit smile.

I've been caught without purpose yet bond by the love of those closest to me, no matter how hard I tried to run.

The whirlwind of turmoil embodied me, I slipped...I fell and I slipped again. Feeling stuck in this quicksand of mines, lost and all alone.

Yet sometimes we need to fall before we learn to stand again.

So for me, this graduation means there will always be another mountain that I'm gonna want to move. There will be another uphill battle and that I may lose.

But to not give in to my pain and misery

That if life doesn't challenge you, then it won't change you. I know that I don't always have to understand my journey as long as I'm going in the right direction... I'll trust... that it's always the simple that produces the marvelous fully blossomed me.

This is what this graduation means to me.

About Our Programs

Felony Criminal Division - Specialty Court Services

(left to right): Specialty Court Services team at the Holiday Relapse Prevention Forum: Drug Court Case Manager Brian Askew, Specialty Court Coordinator John Marra, Specialty Court Coordinator Charlina Hamilton (front row), Mental Health Court Case Manager Nicole Mckee (back row), Manager of Specialty Court Services Yvonne Barnett Greene.

The mission of Specialty Court Services (SCS) is to oversee the operation of its three treatment based programs; Hybrid Drug/DWI Court, Mental Health Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court.

In doing so, we are to ensure that eligible defendants, for any of our programs, are identified at the earliest point in the judicial process and referred for alternative programming to address any underlying substance abuse and/or mental health issues which have led to their criminogenic behavior.

Each program has its own target population as its focus; however, the goals of the programs are similar:

• Reduce drug and alcohol use during program participation
• Retain participants in substance abuse and mental health treatment
• Reduce drug and alcohol related crimes in the jurisdiction and
• Alleviate jail or detention overcrowding by engaging participants in evidence based, effective treatment

SCS achieves these goals through intense judicial supervision and case management, and with help from the assistance of community partners who provide participants with intensive out-patient and/or 

in-patient services.

Hybrid Drug/DWI Court

The Third Judicial Court’s Hybrid Drug/DWI Court Program is a comprehensive 18-24 month alternative sentencing program which targets:

• Non-violent felony offenders who are addicted to illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
• Habitual offenders with no history of violence, weapons, sex offenses or arson.

The program involves intensive judicial supervision; on-site frequent and random drug testing; and graduated incentives and sanctions, which are combined with community resources to assist in the achievement of a better life for participants and the community. 

Mental Health Treatment Court  

Our Mental Health Treatment Court (MHC) Program is an 18-24 month program that provides a problem solving approach for Wayne County Jail inmates who are seriously and persistently mentally ill who also have a non-violent history, and have committed a non-violent offense. Persons out on bond or low-level assault cases are also considered. Goals include:

• Reducing drug and alcohol use during program participation
• Reduce instances of recidivism
• Assistance improve their quality of life of defendants

Defendants are given an opportunity to voluntarily participate through conditional release in community treatment and court approved service plans. This serves as an alternative to a jail sentence. Ultimately many achieve a satisfying measure of pride and self-satisfaction.

Veterans Treatment Court 

The Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program is designated for justice and involves veterans whose criminogenic behavior is linked to their military service and who have underlying issues; such as mental health and substance abuse. Candidates must have a discharge other than dishonorable to be eligible for VTC.

VTC provides an 18-24 month sentencing alternative to non-violent prison-bound felony offenders. The court staff, the Veterans Administration and community service partners work together to address the various needs of participants. Successful program completion may result in:



• Dismissal or reduction of the original charge
• Reduced sentence
• No jail or prison time, or a combination of the above.

Providing Value to the Community

“Judges are tasked with imposing prison sentences on offenders who are a clear danger to our neighborhoods. Our judges, however, find true gratification by positively impacting the lives of nonviolent defenders whose struggles with addiction or mental health initially put them on a path of crime. Our programs, resources, and incentives provide immeasurable support that redirects these individuals on a positive journey toward a better life for themselves, their families and our community."

-- Hon. Patricia Perez Fresard, Chief Judge, Third Judicial Circuit

“I have found immense fulfillment in helping our brave and courageous participants face their worst moments, and overcome decades of substance abuse issues and mental health challenges that have plagued them. I have seen what the power of collective action, investment in alternative sentencing, and hope can do for the lives of so many. I am privileged to share the journey of recovery with so many of our citizens and look forward to continuing this service year after year. As Khalil Gibran said ‘I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.’ This service is joy.”

-- Hon. Mariam Saad Bazzi, Mental Health Court Judge

“In this post-COVID era, medical experts and the media have commented almost daily about the number of people struggling with mental health issues. While greatly publicized now, it is not a new issue. The Wayne County Jail has for decades dealt with a significant number of mentally ill inmates.

"Since 2009, lives have been transformed, families strengthened and recidivism reduced thanks to the hard work of this innovative specialty court. The Mental Health Court along with the Drug Court and Veterans Court provide pathways to a healthier life, brighter future and reduced recidivism."

-- Retired Chief Judge Timothy Kenny (Formerly Drug Court and Mental Health Court Judge)

“DWIHN works diligently with our partners in the judicial system to ensure that persons needing behavioral healthcare and additional resources can receive fair and equitable services. This partnership has helped to reduce recidivism and improve the quality of life by ensuring that people are connected to quality mental healthcare, job readiness programs and educational opportunities.”

-- Eric Doeh, President and CEO for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)

“Specialty Court Programs have tremendous impacts on the lives for those involved. Participants realize significant change from the evidence-based practices used in the programs. Witnessing a graduation of a participant is rewarding for everyone. Participants and their families, court representatives, and other judicial stakeholders all celebrate while listening to the growth of the participant. 

From my perspective, this is the best part of public service and working within the courts.”

-- Frank Hardester, Third Judicial Circuit Executive Court Administrator

“I think my work is worth doing because the military veterans I serve thought that making American life possible was worth doing.”

-- John Marra (VTC Specialty Court Coordinator and Army Veteran)

“As the Manager of Specialty Court Services, I find it rewarding to work with an amazing team and phenomenal group of community partners to help impact change in participants’ lives. To some, we are the only resemblance of family they have. We build bonds with the participants. We don’t see them for the crimes they have committed, we see them as we would anyone else, as people. It brings us great joy to see how many lives we have changed for the better. I love the work we do.” 

-- Yvonne Barnett Greene, Manager of Specialty Court Services

“Serving in the Veteran's Treatment Court is an honor and pleasure because, it allows me to serve the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. Having served as active-duty military and as a dependent spouse to a military officer, I am keenly aware of the sacrifice's military members have to make for themselves and their families. I serve in the Veteran's Treatment Court to give honor and respect to servicemen and servicewomen and to give back to the country that has been so good to me”.

-- Attorney Michael Lamb, Veteran’s court defense attorney



And what two participants say about these programs:

“As I understand my life, well-being and me being able to focus with great clarity and intent that through testing and therapy this program is very helpful for me and my sobriety. I have learned to take it one day at a time.”

-- Wallace B.  (Current DDWI Court participant)

“Life has been very rewarding since I've been able to maintain a sober life. I am thankful every day for this opportunity.” 

-- William P. (DDWI Court 2024 graduate)

Members of the Court's Juvenile Drug Treatment team (Left to right): Christopher Whittington, Hon. Karen Braxton, Referee Brandi Taylor, Vanessa Moss, Ruth Smith and Kevin Purnell.

Juvenile Treatment Programs

By Sonya M. Ristic, Manager of Specialty Court Services

May is National Mental Health and Drug Court Month, as Manager of Specialty Court Services, I can attest to the great work that the Juvenile Mental Health Court (JMHC) and Supervised Treatment for Alcohol and Narcotic Dependency (STAND) Programs are doing. Each day the teams interact with youth, families, and community partners to provide unparalleled services.

STAND:

“The Juvenile Drug Treatment Court has had a significant impact on my experience as a judge. It has challenged me to think differently about youthful offenders and shown me the importance of rehabilitation over punishment. By providing our young people with the support and resources needed to overcome their substance use disorders, we are able to positively impact their lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the program and look forward to continuing my service to the youth of Wayne County.”

-- Hon. Karen Braxton (Presiding Judge STAND Juvenile Drug Treatment Court)

“I am proud to be a part of the STAND program. It has been my experience that the program is setup and works to provide a positive and productive environment where change happens. This comprehensive approach provides the youth with sober living and successful futures.” 

-- Brandi Taylor (Referee STAND Juvenile Drug Treatment Court)

“As I approach 38 years of service as a Probation Officer for Wayne County, 23 of those years have been in the Drug Court. It has been the most gratifying department that I have been involved with as a Probation Officer. Mostly because I have been able to see troubled substance abusing youth make amazing positive changes in their life once they have completed all four phases of the STAND program. Judge Braxton and our entire Drug Court team are dedicated and focused on the success of our youth probationers.”  

-- Kevin Purnell (Probation Officer)

JMHC:

“It is an honor to work with my co-workers in the Juvenile Mental Health Court with the shared goal of helping youth and families receive appropriate services and make positive progress.”

--Matthew Grimm (Probation Officer)

“The goal is by timely addressing mental health issues, this will redirect a life trajectory, avoid future contact with the criminal justice system, and generate well-adjusted and productive citizens.”

-- Retired Chief Judge Robert Colombo, Jr.

“The Juvenile Mental Health Court is a great alternative for youth that would otherwise likely be labeled as a “bad kid” and possibly discarded. This program provides the children and their families with the resources that put them on the path to build a successful future.”

-- Kevin Fischer (Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness)

“My life has been successfully and efficiently impacted by the Juvenile Mental Health Court. I now support victims of sexual assault as well as mental health challenges. I work as an AABA and Behavioral Therapist with clients aged 2-17 and am now in my second year of college.”

-- Symone Nunelly (JMHC graduate)