Two specialized dockets at the Delaware Municipal Court have earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.
Judge David Sunderman’s Mental Health Docket and Judge Marianne Hemmeter’s Mission Court Docket, a veteran’s treatment court docket, were certified in June. The certification requirements include establishing eligibility criteria, evaluating effectiveness, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket.
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. Other specialized dockets in Ohio courts deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol, domestic violence and human trafficking.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated the Delaware Municipal Court and Judges Sunderman and Hemmeter.
“Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society. Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars,” the Chief Justice said.
