Category Archives: Specialty Courts
March 29, 2022 Founder of Nevada specialty court aimed at treating problem gambling gets special recognition
The Nevada Council on problem gambling estimates that problem gambling may affect up to six percent of adults in Nevada. The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) today marked Problem Gambling Awareness month in a specialty Court session. Judge Cheryl Moss, Ret. was given special recognition for her work to establish the GTDC. The court is considered to be a model court.
Nearly 150,000 people in Nevada are believed to suffer the negative emotional, financial and personal consequences of problem gambling; a behavior known to compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Problem gambling can also lead to criminal activity.
Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell, who presides over the GTDC shared the details of how Judge Moss prompted her to start a Gambling Treatment Diversion court. “Honestly, without Judge Moss we would not have this court today,” said Judge Bell.
“I am proud to represent Nevada,” said Judge Moss. She shared that Ohio and New Jersey are looking at adding a Gambling Treatment Diversion court. Program participants present for the court today, tearfully thanked Judge Moss for her work to establish the court aimed at getting those with gambling addiction back on track through treatment.
The participants who appeared before Judge Bell gave progress reports on their treatment and their lives. One participant shared the biggest difference he has seen in himself, “I went from not caring about my future to overly caring about my future.”
The GTDC commenced in November 2018, with Judge Cheryl Moss presiding. Per Nevada Revised Statues 458A, defendants are eligible for GTDC if they have been convicted of a crime and committed that crime in furtherance, or as a result, of problem gambling. A qualified mental health professional must examine and determine the defendant is a problem gambler. Those who commit a violent crime, a crime against a child, or a sexual offense are not eligible for the program. Participants must agree to pay restitution as a condition of treatment.
The Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) marked their first graduation ceremony last October. The Eighth Judicial District GDTC is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for those in the criminal justice system as a result of a problem gambling disorder. The program is currently the only one of its kind in the country. Treatment for the 18 to 36 month GTDC program includes individual and group counseling focused on problem gambling, State-funded Certified Problem Gambling Counselors provide the treatment. Participants may also be required to complete substance abuse and mental health counseling, wellness education, peer support and drug and alcohol testing when needed. Additional services include residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, anger management and impulse control groups, gender-specific and trauma treatment, grief and loss treatment, treatment targeting criminal behavior and family therapy. Program participants are required to pay an administrative fee of $1,500 after they have paid their entire restitution. Treatment costs are covered by insurance or state grant funds. The GTDC program is in session every other Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Tags: Eighth Judicial District Court, Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada Gambling Treatment Diversion Court, Gambling court, gambling specialty court, gambling treatment diversion court, GTDC, Judge Cheryl Moss, Judge Linda Bell, Judge Linda Marie Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Las Vegas gambling court, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court
February 17, 2022 And the winner for the TINHIH Foundation Boots on the Ground Award is…
Angel Lash, the District Court Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction (LIMA) diversion program coordinator proved to be a shoe-in for the Boots on the Ground Award from the There is No Heroin in Heroin (TINHIH) Foundation. Angel’s work with the LIMA program has turned many lives around. Those who have had brushes with law enforcement but show promise, get treatment and services that help them chart a new and better course for themselves. That success ripples through the families and friends of program grads, and through the community at large.
Angel was surprised and thankful for the award and acknowledged those who she works with in the program. “I am extremely honored,” said Angel. “I absolutely feel like I am receiving hope from the people we serve, maybe more than I am giving it. I learn every single day, how to persevere and be resilient and follow through from the people we serve.”
The awards event was live-streamed https://fb.watch/behqD2dYMp/ at 51:14
The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada LIMA program is a nine to 12 month, pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program to engage in community-based services. The goal is to get eligible individuals services that will help them and ultimately improve public safety and reduce criminal activity. Having law enforcement divert individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training is intended to improve the likelihood that participants will achieve success. Those referred must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation in the LIMA Program.
The LIMA program holds graduation ceremonies for participants who successfully complete the program. Since Feb. 2020, the program has graduated 44 participants.
Tags: Angel Lash, Clark County Courts, diversion Las Vegas, diversion programs, Eighth Judicial District Court, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Nevada Court, recovery, recovery las vegas, There is no H In heroin, TINHIH
January 19, 2022 Graduation planned for 17 who detoured justice system through LIMA Diversion Program to get their lives on track
The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada LIMA Program (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) will host a graduation ceremony for participants of the program who have turned their lives around. The celebration for 17 new grads, will be at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., on Friday, January 21 at 1 p.m. Several keynote speakers will convey positive messages including: LVMPD Captain Roxanne Burke; Leo Magrdichian, WestCare Nevada’s vice president of operations; Stephanie Lilly, LIMA alumni (LIMA’s very first client referral) and Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders. The event host will be Bianca McCall, the founder and chief executive director of Desert Rose Counseling Group LLC.
LIMA is a nine to 12 month pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program to engage in community-based services. The goal is to get eligible individuals services that will help them and ultimately improve public safety and reduce criminal activity. Having law enforcement divert individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training is intended to improve the likelihood that participants will achieve success. Those referred must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation in the LIMA Program.
“The LIMA diversion program gives those with substance abuse issues the tools of recovery to keep them from entering the justice system and to move in a positive direction with their lives,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell. “Diversion has proven to be a cost effective way to address substance abuse, particularly during this pandemic when the jails and prisons face issues of overcrowding.”
Participants will be referred to services based on their needs including:
· Individual and group substance abuse counseling provided
· Mental health and co-occurring counseling provided
· Collaborative case management
· Detoxification services
· Intensive outpatient and or inpatient treatment
· Weekly/biweekly meetings with case manager
· Referrals to sober living, low-income housing, and/or temporary/transitional housing and housing services
· Assistance with secure vital documents and establishment of positive support system
LIMA, a collaboration between Eighth Judicial District Court and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, is a great example of how using alternative, efficient methods to ensure
justice and reduce the potential for crime. District Court judges and staff continuously work to develop new ideas, maximize efficiencies and improve access to justice. For more information about the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, please visit our website at clarkcountycourts.us, Facebook facebook.com/NV8thJDCourt, Twitter at https://twitter.com/Nv8thC or blog at https://eighthjdcourt.wordpress.com.
Tags: Clark County Courts, diversion courts, diversion programs, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Linda Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Las Vegas diversion program, Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction, LIMA, LIMA diversion program, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, Specialty Courts
January 19, 2022 Court Angel gets award nomination for work getting lives on track
Angel Lash is the District Court LIMA diversion program coordinator. Angel’s work with the program has garnered nominations for three awards from the There is No Heroin in Heroin (TINHIH) Foundation, including Hero of the Year. A nomination writer raves, “Angel has demonstrated kindness, compassion and a never ending work ethic in her role with the LIMA program.” It’s the type of commitment that is turning lives around and diverting people out of the justice system.
The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada LIMA Program (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) is a nine to 12 month pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program to engage in community-based services. The goal is to get eligible individuals services that will help them and ultimately improve public safety and reduce criminal activity. Having law enforcement divert individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training is intended to improve the likelihood that participants will achieve success. Those referred must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation in the LIMA Program.
The winners will be announced Feb. 7.
The LIMA program will graduate 17 participants at its second public graduation ceremony on January 21 at 1 p.m. at LVMPD Headquarters.
Tags: Angel Lash, Clark County Courts, Diversion program, Diversion program Las Vegas, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Linda Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, LIMA, LIMA program, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court
November 3, 2021 Felony DUI specialty court program gets Nevada Office of Traffic Safety grant to prevent impaired driving
Deadly crashes caused by those driving under the influence are preventable tragedies that destroy lives. The Eighth Judicial District Court’s Felony DUI program (FDUI) recently received a $47,846 grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety for FY 2022, to prevent impaired driving that result in crashes, fatalities and serious injuries.
The FDUI program receives well over 100 referrals a year and has a long history of demonstrating successful DUI deterrence through effective interventions such as breath-interlock devices, vehicular restrictions and long-term treatment. “Implementing a best-practice clinical approach to changing impaired driving behavior has proven to be more effective than legal sanctions or incarceration alone,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Bell.
The FDUI program boasts a successful completion rate of 75 percent. The Eighth Judicial District Court is using the grant from the Office of Traffic Safety to focus on long-term behavior change. Established in 1997, this is the third year that the FDUI court will get funds from the Office of Traffic Safety. In FY 2020 and 2021, the program was awarded a combined $87,000 to partially fund a full-time court coordinator position to work with community partners to ensure that public safety is the top priority of the FDUI program.
The clinical court coordinator develops effective clinical programming; monitors daily drug testing, treatment compliance and use of breath-interlock devices; monitors probation and house-arrest compliance; and provides treatment recommendations for the court to consider. The collaboration between the court and the court coordinator engages participants and improves program outcomes. Hearing Master Shannon Wittenberger, who hears FDUI cases said, “I believe the oversight provided by the court coordinator dramatically improves the success rates of participants in the FDUI program. The court coordinator brings clinical knowledge, experience and regimented consistency to get participants to achieve success in the program.”
“The longer we keep FDUI participants engaged in treatment, the better the chances are for success,” said DeDe Parker, the assistant court administrator responsible for juvenile and specialty court programs. “It’s our job to keep our community safe, while promoting change through treatment.”
From January 1, 2016 through January 1, 2019, 475 clients out of 633 total discharged clients successfully completed the FDUI program, a result of a 75 percent success rate. Program success is determined on the ability to establish and maintain complete abstinence from all psychoactive substances, demonstration of a progression in treatment, demonstration of the ability to establish and utilize a recovery plan, participation in a victim impact panel and full payment of all program fees.
The felony DUI program is one of the Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, specialty court coordinators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals. All work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and become productive citizens.
Tags: Civil Bench Bar, Clark County Courts, COVID-19 court response, DUI court, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Linda Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, Stop DUI
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October 27, 2021 New Grads From Only Gambling Treatment Diversion Court In The Nation Offer Hope For Problem Gamblers Facing Justice System
The Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) marked its first-ever graduation ceremony Tuesday. The Eighth Judicial District GDTC is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for those in the criminal justice system as a result of a problem gambling disorder. The program is currently the only one of its kind in the country. The Nevada Counsel on Problem Gambling estimates that problem gambling is a community health issue that may affect up to six percent of Nevada adults.
Treatment for the 12 to 36 month GTDC program includes individual and group counseling focused on problem gambling, State-funded Certified Problem Gambling Counselors provide the treatment. Participants may also be required to complete substance abuse and mental health counseling, wellness education, peer support and drug and alcohol testing when needed. Additional services include residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, anger management and impulse control groups, gender-specific and trauma treatment, grief and loss treatment, treatment targeting criminal behavior and family therapy.
“I commend our first graduates of the Gambling Treatment Diversion Court. Their success, despite all the turmoil caused by the pandemic, is great cause for hope for the many individuals in our community who struggle with problem gambling,” said Judge Linda Marie Bell, who presides over the GTDC. “I also applaud the hard work of Judge Cheryl Moss, specialty court staff, and our community partners to get the program up and running.”
The GTDC commenced in November 2018. Per Nevada Revised Statues 458A, defendants are eligible for GTDC if they have been convicted of a crime and committed that crime in furtherance, or as a result, of problem gambling. A qualified mental health professional must examine and determine the defendant is a problem gambler. Those who commit a violent crime, a crime against a child, or a sexual offense are not eligible for the program. Participants must agree to pay restitution as a condition of treatment.
Program participants are required to pay an administrative fee of $1,500 after they have paid their entire restitution. Treatment costs are covered by insurance or state grant funds. The GTDC program currently has 11 participants and is in session every other Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
The GTDC program is one of the Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, specialty court coordinators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals. All work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and become productive citizens.
Tags: Cheryl Moss, Clark County Courts, Eighth Judicial District Court, Gambling court, gambling treatment diversion court, GTDC, Judge Cheryl Moss, Judge Linda Bell, Judge Linda Marie Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Linda Marie Bell, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, Specialty Courts, Stefanie Hui
October 27, 2021 Mental Health Court trailblazer passes leaving a legacy of restorative justice for those with mental health issues
A statement to District Court employees from Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell announced today, “Retired District Court Judge John McGroarty passed away yesterday. Judge McGroarty served in Department 16 from 1982 until 2006. After his retirement, he continued to preside over the Mental Health Court until about 2012. He was known for being incredibly kind and a passionate advocate for the mentally ill.”
August 4, 2021 LIMA Diversion Program graduation will celebrate 21 who detoured the justice system to turn their lives around
The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada LIMA Program (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) will host its first in-person graduation for participants of the program who have turned their lives around. The celebration for 21 new grads, will be at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., on Friday, August 6 at 2 p.m. Several keynote speakers will convey positive messages including: LVMPD Captain Roxanne Burke, Paul Vautrinot, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs, and Dr. Stephanie Woodard.
LIMA is a nine to 12 month pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program to engage in community-based services. The goal is to get eligible individuals services that will help them, improve public safety and reduce criminal activity. When law enforcement diverts individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training, it improves the likelihood that participants will achieve success. Those referred must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation in the LIMA Program.
“The costs of incarceration are rising and the prison system is overwhelmed. The LIMA diversion program offers a more effective and less costly way to address the epidemic of substance abuse,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell. “LIMA diverts people onto a productive path before they begin to revolve through the justice system.”
Participants will be referred to services based on their needs including:
· Individual and group substance abuse counseling provided
· Mental health and co-occurring counseling provided
· Collaborative case management
· Detoxification services
· Intensive outpatient and or inpatient treatment
· Weekly/biweekly meetings with case manager
· Referrals to sober living, low income housing, and/or temporary/transitional housing and housing services
· Assistance with secure vital documents and establishment of positive support system
LIMA is a collaboration between Eighth Judicial District Court and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and is a great example of how using alternative, efficient methods to ensure justice and reduce the potential for crime.
Tags: Clark County Courts, Diversion program, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs, Dr. Stephanie Woodard, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Linda Bell, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction, LIMA, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, Paul Vautrinot, Roxanne Burke
March 31, 2021 Governor Steve Sisolak appoints District Court assistant court administrator DeNeese Parker to Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council
Governor Steve Sisolak appointed DeNeese Parker to the Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council. Her term will run until February 2025.
DeNeese was recently promotion to serve as assistant court administrator over the Juvenile Division in Family Court. This is a new position that reflects the priority of the Eighth Judicial District Court to improve the lives and well-being of youth and families in Clark County. “Focusing on Juvenile Court matters has been a priority for court administration. DeNeese has proven herself time and time again through her hard work, commitment to best practices, development of community and state-wide relationships, and unwavering commitment to the highest standards of mental health care for court participants,” said District court Chief Executive Officer Steven Grierson. “I look forward to watching our Juvenile Court continue its tremendous successes and reach new heights. I know that DeNeese will be a great representative of our District Court and wonderful addition to this effort.”
DeNeese is a certified alcohol and drug counselor in the State of Nevada. In the past, she has supervised other counselors and overseen multiple grant-funded programs, contracts and budgets. She directs and administers the programs related to governmental and legislative activity related to the Eighth Judicial District Court specialty courts. DeNeese represents the Eighth Judicial District Court with city, state and county government agencies as well as community resource providers.
DeNeese will continue with her primary responsibility as the specialty courts program administrator. She manages all specialty courts for the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, including adult drug court, co-occurring drug court, transitional age program, OPEN, veteran’s treatment court, felony DUI court, mental health court, gambling diversion treatment Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Family Treatment Drug Court, Re-Entry Court and Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental health and Addiction (LIMA).
Throughout DeNeese’s professional career, she has been a counselor, program manager, and coordinator over multiple specialty courts. DeNeese Parker was previously the Truancy Diversion Program coordinator, which involved the coordination of more than 85 schools in Clark County, while being the coordinator over juvenile drug court and diversion court.
DeNeese has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with an emphasis in law from the University of California, Davis, a master’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. DeNeese graduated from the Clark County leadership academy in 2019 and recently received a nomination from a local non-profit for a community award.
According to their website, “The Nevada Commission on Behavioral Health & Development is a 10‐member legislatively created body designed to provide policy guidance and oversight of Nevada’s public system of integrated care and treatment of adults and children with mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities/related conditions. The commission meets at least six times a year (twice a year face-to-face, otherwise using video and tele-conference).”
Tags: Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council, DeDe Parker, Eighth Judicial District Court, Governor Steve Sisolak, Nevada Commission on Behavioral Health & Development, Specialty Courts, specialty courts and more, Steven Grierson
December 30, 2020 Eighth Judicial District recovery specialty court up for award for work turning lives around
The Nevada Eighth Judicial District Recovery Court Treatment Team was nominated for the There Is No Heroin in Heroin (TINHIH) Foundation Crushing Stigma & Silos Award. The award is given annually to those who have helped the organization flourish and achieve their goals. Specialty courts administrator DeDe Parker was also nominated for the Hero of the Year Award.
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony will be live streamed on February 1 at 8 p.m. at the following link: https://mondaysdark.com/livestream/
There Is No Heroin in Heroin Foundation is committed to bettering the Las Vegas community through overdose prevention and education events. Founded on the basis that no family should have to fight through addiction’s turmoil alone, TINHIH develops events and programming that support the needs of those struggling with addiction, those in recovery, and those lost to substance use disorder.
The Crushing Stigma and Silos Award will be given to the partnership between organizations that have connected to establish programming and/or support for those in our community affected by substance use disorder.
This is an excerpt from the District Court nomination: “Recovery Court began in late 2019 in response to the need for a new approach to drug courts in Las Vegas. Individuals are given the opportunity to come into the program as a 184 inmate or parolee. Housing and treatment are covered through grant funding, giving the participant the ability to focus on their recovery. Relapses are not an immediate sanction back to prison but rather an opportunity for the treatment team to create a new action plan for increased support.”
The recovery court is one of the Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, specialty court coordinators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals. All work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and become productive citizens.
Tags: Clark County Specialty Courts, Las Vegas Speciality Courts, Nevada Specialty Courts, recovery; LasVegas; drugcourt; specialtycourt, Specialty Courts
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- Posted under Clark County Specialty Courts, Specialty Courts
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