The Michigan Supreme Court has announced the allocation of nearly $19 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2025 to support problem-solving court programs across the state. These programs, which include drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, aim to address the underlying issues of nonviolent offenders that lead to repeated interactions with the criminal justice system.
Justice Kyra H. Bolden emphasized the importance of these programs in connecting trial courts with their communities and providing essential resources. "When people ask me how trial courts engage with their communities and provide access to valuable resources, I initially point to problem-solving courts because these programs represent the best of what we do in the judiciary: save lives," she stated. She further acknowledged the role of state and federal grant funding in offering participants and their families a second chance.
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) not only provides financial support but also offers operational resources, state certification, and training for these specialized courts. Data consistently demonstrate that problem-solving courts contribute to reducing crime rates and unemployment while enhancing the quality of life for graduates.
Local media are encouraged to contact individual courts for detailed information on specific grant amounts and additional insights into their problem-solving court initiatives.