Shelton Municipal Court Receives Innovating Justice Award

The Shelton Municipal Court's Individualized Therapeutic Court program is the proud recipient of a 2024 Innovating Justice Award, presented by the Board for Judicial Administration.

Shelton Municipal Court, in partnership with Mason County District Court, has operated a community-coordinated therapeutic court program since 2022. Therapeutic courts are a proven way to holistically address and coordinate treatment for individuals in the legal system with behavioral health or substance use disorders.

Therapeutic court participants learn methods to manage mental health or substance use disorders and essential life skills, such as managing family or social challenges, finding stable housing, and employment or educational needs.

Participants meet weekly with a team consisting of a judge, court facilitator, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, treatment providers, educational providers, and community providers. Court is held in five languages - English, Spanish, Mam, Q'anjob'al, and Akateko - with the assistance of interpreters. There have been 17 graduations from the therapeutic court program, as of September 2024. 

The Innovating Justice Award recognizes an individual or group for exceptional leadership in helping courts deliver innovative and responsive justice using a race equity lens.