Unlike traditional courts, specialty courts use a non-adversarial approach that emphasizes the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders rather than punishment. Some argue that specialty courts are useful for addressing underlying causes of criminal behavior, reducing recidivism rates, and saving taxpayer dollars through reduced prison sentences. Others argue that specialty courts only minimally reduce recidivism rates, create redundancies with public health initiatives, and incur extra costs associated with hiring social workers, drug and alcohol treatment specialists, and other experts.

you will focus on a specific type of specialty court (drug, DUI/SWI, veterans, homeless, or mental health courts) and determine whether it offers ethical advantages over a traditional court.

To Prepare:

• Use the Walden Library to research one type of specialty court (drug, DUI/DWI, veterans, homeless, or mental health).

By Day 3 of Week 5

Post in length a response in which you:

• Discuss whether the specialty court you researched represents a more ethical approach to dealing with certain offenders and why or why not. Be specific with references.