'DESIGNER' COURTS COULD BE BENEFIT TO DA'S OFFICE

Are the so-called "designer" courts a potential for Tennessee's 10th
Judicial District, which includes Bradley County?

These courts deal with certain cases involving limited legal issues such as
drugs, mental health problems, domestic violence or driving under the
influence (DUI) and are proving their worth in several areas of the state.

Tenth District DA Jerry Estes envisions some benefits, for the long run,
but says his office just does not have the personnel at this time to take
on the added responsibility.

"A study has recommended that we have three more prosecutors in this
district," Estes said earlier this week. "If we should get those people,
then we might look into the possibility (of a 'designer' court)." He
pointed out that the additional staff would then be able to handle the
additional court time that would be required.

"It is something I would be interested in exploring, especially a drug
court," Estes continued.

The DA added that Middle Tennessee's Dan Alsobrooks, who is president-elect
of the National District Attorneys Association, had formed a committee to
look into "designer" courts when he was president of the Tennessee District
Attorneys Association. Nothing really came from this study, since most
districts are limited by personnel shortages and extreme case loads.

"We can't really get serious about it, because we don't have the personnel
(at this time)," concluded Estes.

Other counties across the state are reaping some benefits from these
specialty courts.

In Blount County, a drug court has been operating at the trial level since
1999 when it was started with a federal grant. Most participants are
multi-substance users with a 10-year or longer chemical dependency history,
said Circuit Court Judge Kelly Thomas. This is the type of court that Estes
has an interest in for the 10th District.

A Davidson County drug court offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment
for nonviolent felony offenders and has a recidivism rate of less than 15
percent. It is also one of 600 drug courts in the nation operating its own
residential treatment facility.

Domestic violence courts are operating in Shelby, Cannon and Rutherford
counties. Sumner County has obtained federal funding for a drug court to
serve as a "two-tier misdemeanor and felony program."

In Knox County's 6th District, a grant-funded drug court is helping minor
offenders get their lives back together ... without doing hard time in jail
or prison.

There are also specialized courts in some rural areas of the state --
including Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties.

The problem with showing any enthusiasm about the possibility of
establishing specialty courts (for the 10th District) anytime in the near
future is that the region's legal agencies do not have resources to
implement such a program.

Estes' office is currently challenged when trying to meet its day-to-day
responsibilities.

We agree with the district attorney that there is some real potential with
considering a "designer" court/courts for the 10th District ... should
funding and personnel be increased for the local office. "In the long run,
it could help reduce the docket, and rehabilitate some people," Estes said.