Briefs: Drug court and re-entry court receive state re-certifications

Marion Star
·2 min read

F.I.R.S.T. Court lead by Judge Warren Edwards certified through 2025

The F.I.R.S.T. Court (Focusing On Individual Recovery, Success, and Treatment) commonly referred to as “Drug Court” and The Re-Entry Court run by Judge Warren T. Edwards of the Marion Common Pleas Court General Division have both earned final re-certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets. The new certification expires on Dec. 31, 2025.

In order to receive the certification, the local court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards.

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. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that deal with issues such as drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence and human trafficking.

The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community’s needs and resources.

The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket.

Special delivery at OhioHealth Marion General

OhioHealth Marion General Hospitals Sheree Ford and Marion Correctional Institute's Robert Wallingford are seem with two of the 60 stuffed bears made by inmates in the AMVETS program at MCI that were recently delivered to the hospital.
OhioHealth Marion General Hospitals Sheree Ford and Marion Correctional Institute's Robert Wallingford are seem with two of the 60 stuffed bears made by inmates in the AMVETS program at MCI that were recently delivered to the hospital.

The Marion Correctional Institute (MCI) recently delivered 60 stuffed bears made by inmates in the AMVETS program at MCI to OhioHealth Marion General Hospital for pediatric patients in the Emergency Department and those who work with the hospital’s forensic team.

The hospital is grateful for their support.

Patrol releases New Year holiday report

COLUMBUS – According to provisional statistics, 11 people killed on Ohio roadways this New Year holiday.

During the four-day reporting period, from 12 a.m. Dec. 30 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2, 11 people were killed in nine fatal crashes. Impairment was a factor in six fatalities, while eight were not were safety belts.

During reporting period, troopers removed 214 impaired drivers from Ohio’s roads, while citing 67 for distracted driving and 101 for illegal drug violations. This is a decrease from the four-day reporting period last year, when 12 fatalities were reported.

Marion County troopers recorded 199 incidents or interactions during the holiday period.

The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available at statepatrol.ohio.gov.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County drug, re-entry courts recertified by Ohio Supreme Court