January, 2025
The Delaware County Common Pleas General Division Recovery Docket has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.
In order to receive the certification, the local court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went in to effect in January 2025.
Judge James P. Schuck – who oversees the court’s drug court – stated “Our Recovery Docket has had over 20 graduates over the last six years. These individuals have had long histories of drug or alcohol addiction but are now sober and healthy. We appreciate the Supreme Court’s recognition of our efforts and look forward to continuing this important work..”
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy congratulated Judge Schuck and the Delaware County Common Pleas General Division Recovery Docket for meeting the standards required for final certification.
“Specialized dockets offer an alternative to incarceration, and reflect a community’s belief in second chances,” said Chief Justice Kennedy. “They focus on people who are willing to work to overcome the personal challenges that led to their involvement in the justice system. The court and community partners work together to supervise treatment, training, and support, providing local solutions to local problems under leadership of the local court.”
Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 258 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that deal with issues such as:
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Mental Health
- Domestic Violence
- Human Trafficking
The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio, and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community’s needs and resources.
The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team to implement daily operations of the specialized docket. The team is headed by the specialized docket judge and can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and more.
The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members to advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.