The Specialty Courts of the 22^nd Judicial District Court (JDC) are funded through the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, as well as federal grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and The Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Each program is run by the presiding judge in the division that includes a specialty court.  Unlike many other jurisdictions across the country, our presiding judges receive referrals from all of the other judges of the 22nd JDC; therefore, all of the judges are very supportive and vested in these programs.

The programs are less expensive and much more effective than the traditional correction and supervision protocols.  It costs Louisiana taxpayers $25,000 to house an inmate for one year. The cost for a client of the specialty courts is $5,000. All programs are post-adjudication, and a referral must be made by the Judge at sentencing. The programs are voluntary on the part of the offender.  To graduate, candidates must meet the requirements of the program.  If a requirement is not met, sanctions are applied on a graduated basis, and in addition, all treatment resources are exhausted before a candidate is dismissed from the programs.

Early Intervention – Those who qualify can get into Specialty Programs Quickly

The D.A.’s Office, the Judges, the Commissioner and the Public Defender’s Office, have joined forces in this new Program. It is designed for offenders who have mental health and/or drug or alcohol addiction. It processes them quickly (soon after arrest) and offers them a non-binding plea agreement, which allows them to get into treatment quickly instead of their languishing in jail. The Program will save in jail costs upwards of $1 Million to taxpayers. Click here for detailed information about Early Intervention.  Contact Chief of Early Intervention in the D.A.’s Office, Caroline Barkerding at 985-809-8347.

Please visit the website of the 22nd JDC for detailed information. The following are the Specialty Courts in the 22nd JDC:

Behavioral Health Court

Adult Drug Court

Family Preservation Court

Re-Entry Court

Veterans Court

Sobriety Court