Program Overview
The Lorain County Common Pleas Recovery Court (Recovery Court) is a specialized docket program offering treatment for offenders that are diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder where their addiction was primary factor in leading to their involvement in the criminal justice system. The Program Description provides a comprehensive explanation of the Recovery Court, including its written policies and procedures, defined goals and objectives, and the roles and responsibility of its Advisory Committee and Treatment Team members.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Lorain County Recovery Court Program is to provide judicial intervention, treatment and intensive supervision to individuals who have committed criminal acts as a direct or indirect result of their substance abuse. By providing this multidisciplinary approach, these individuals will become productive sober law-abiding citizens.
Target Population
The Lorain County Recovery Court is available to Lorain County residents who have been charged with a criminal offense, where the Court has reason to believe that drugs or alcohol use by the offender was a factor leading to the offenders’ criminal behavior. Typically, this population is described as “addicts who happen to commit crimes versus criminals who happen to take drugs.”
Referral Process
Identification of potential candidates is the first step for entry into the Lorain County Recovery Court. The Recovery Court supports the referral of all potentially eligible defendants for review under these policies and procedures. Referrals may be made formally and informally from many sources, including: Judges, attorneys, prosecutors, case managers, self-referral, police officers, pre-trial services, probation officers, jail staff, or others.
If they do not meet the established legal requirements or are otherwise deemed legally inappropriate, the defendant is denied entry into the Recovery Court and his/her case is returned to the original court for disposition.
Legal Eligibility Screening
Referrals are provided to the Recovery Court Coordinator. Prior to the initial meeting, the Program Coordinator shall review the potential participant’s file to make an initial assessment and to review any disqualifying factors, including, but not limited to: residency and criminal history. All mitigating and aggravating circumstances of current or prior court involvement are also evaluated.
Clinical Assessment
If, after the orientation, the defendant chooses to move forward, they are given an assessment date. The defendant may choose to drop out of the process at any time if they are not interested in participating in the Recovery Court program. If the potential participant is a candidate and agrees to participate in the Lorain County Recovery Court program they will be referred for assessment and to appropriate treatment services. Upon a referral from the Program Coordinator, the participant shall be assessed by to determine whether the potential participant meets the Recovery Court’s written clinical eligibility criteria and is, otherwise, appropriate for the Wellness Court. If an individual is found to be ineligible for the Recovery Court, the clinical assessment report shall include recommendations for available alternative treatment options.
Program Admission
Final admission to the program will occur after the defendant attends Recovery Court orientation. The defense attorney shall review the Participant Handbook with the defendant, which includes the rules, regulations, expectations and graduation criteria of the Recovery Court. The Recovery Court Judge shall make the final decision as to admission to the program.
The specialized docket promptly assesses individuals and refers them to appropriate services. Participants will be referred to the appropriate treatment providers once the assessment has been completed. All participants will be actively engaged with treatment while in the Recovery Court. Participants will also be placed under reporting supervision to monitor compliance with Recovery Court requirements.
Please refer to the following linked documents for more detailed information:
For more information, call Justine Dumont, Probation Officer and Recovery Court Coordinator at 440-326-4729.
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