Interesting (and already dated) census of problem-solving courts from BJS

The Bureau of Justice Statistics just released this interesting new report titled Census of Problem-Solving Courts, 2012," and here are its identified " HIGHLIGHTS": „„

• In 2012, 65% of all problem-solving courts accepted cases after the defendant entered a guilty plea. „„

• More than half (56%) of problem-solving courts in 2012 did not accept applicants with a history of violent crime and nearly two-thirds (65%) did not accept applicants with a history of sex offenses. „„

• In 38% of veterans courts and 11% of domestic violence courts, applicants with a history of violent crime were ineligible. „„

• Fifty-three percent of all problem-solving courts active in 2012 were established prior to 2005. „„

• Most veterans courts (55%) were established between 2011 and 2012. „„

• Participants in problem-solving courts spent a median of 1 year in the program in 2012. „„

• Overall, 92% of participants who exited from problem-solving courts in 2012 successfully completed the program. „„

• Twenty-one percent of youth specialty courts reported that 100% of participants completed the program in 2012. „„

• Successful program completion commonly included dismissal of the case (61%) or a suspended sentence (40%). „„

• Fewer than half (44%) of all problem-solving courts tracked participant progress after program completion in 2012.