Co-produced with the Government Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Wisconsin
Setting the standard
Dane County created Wisconsin’s first treatment court in 1996 as an adult drug court. Since then, a wide range of treatment courts have been developed across the state to address issues such as mental health and substance use disorders contributing to criminal behavior. Combining accountability and judicial supervision with rehabilitative support services, treatment courts have been effective in reducing recidivism, decreasing incarceration rates, and improving long-term outcomes for participants.1
At Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases, delve into the framework established by the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP) to guide the operation of treatment courts. You’ll benefit from an array of professional viewpoints, including public defenders, city attorneys, judges, and district attorneys, as they share insights on:
Evidence-based practices to effectively address participants’ needs
How team collaboration is used to support participant recovery
Screening, eligibility criteria, and phased treatment plans
The application of incentives and sanctions to encourage compliance
Presenter interview
Program Chair and Presenter John C. Moore Jr. sat down with State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® Seminars Program Planner Jessie Clements and shared how his passion for treatment courts developed and why he believes attending this program is so important.
Co-produced with the Government Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Wisconsin
Setting the standard
Dane County created Wisconsin’s first treatment court in 1996 as an adult drug court. Since then, a wide range of treatment courts have been developed across the state to address issues such as mental health and substance use disorders contributing to criminal behavior. Combining accountability and judicial supervision with rehabilitative support services, treatment courts have been effective in reducing recidivism, decreasing incarceration rates, and improving long-term outcomes for participants.1
At Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases, delve into the framework established by the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP) to guide the operation of treatment courts. You’ll benefit from an array of professional viewpoints, including public defenders, city attorneys, judges, and district attorneys, as they share insights on:
Evidence-based practices to effectively address participants’ needs
How team collaboration is used to support participant recovery
Screening, eligibility criteria, and phased treatment plans
The application of incentives and sanctions to encourage compliance
Test your competency competence
Competency concerns come into play in various legal contexts for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Better understand the definitions and standards for competency in criminal and non-criminal contexts, including Chapters 51, 54, and 55 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Using real-world scenarios, you’ll examine evidentiary standards, medication orders, and court considerations in competency cases.
Ensure that individuals in need receive appropriate care, protection, and legal representation tailored to their circumstances with insights from Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases.
Presenter interview
Program Chair and Presenter John C. Moore Jr. sat down with State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® Seminars Program Planner Jessie Clements and shared how his passion for treatment courts developed and why he believes attending this program is so important.
Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases 2025,Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases 2025,Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases 2025,Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases 2025,Innovations in Justice: Treatment Court Standards and Competency Cases 2025
Product details
Schedule
8:30 am
Overview
Heather Kierzek
8:55 am
Treatment Courts
Moderator: Comm. J.C. Moore Panelists: Robert G. Barrington, Hon. Tania M. Bonnett, Heather Kierzek, Matthew Lantta, Emily Nolan-Plutchak, Jessica Skemp
Gain an understanding of Wisconsin's Treatment Court Standards, including their purpose and framework for ensuring consistent practices
Explore essential elements such as team roles, judicial engagement, and evidence-based practices in treatment courts.
Learn about screening, eligibility criteria, phased treatment plans, and use of incentives and sanctions.
10:25 am
Break
10:40 am
Competency on Competency
Hon. Patrice A. Baker, Solomon Gatton, Polly Shoemaker
Examine how Chapters 51, 54, and 55 interact and overlap in legal and practical contexts
Compare and contrast the perspectives of defense counsel (SPD), corporate counsel, and guardians ad litem (GAL) in Chapter 51/54/55 cases
Evaluate different approaches to balancing individual rights and public safety concerns
Walk through scenarios that examine evidentiary standards, medication orders, and court considerations
12:10 pm
Program Concludes
Faculty
Program Chairs
Meighan M. Anger
Milwaukee City Attorneys Office · Milwaukee
Steven Hughes
State Public Defenders Office · Waukesha
Comm. J.C. Moore
Milwaukee County Circuit Court · Milwaukee
Jodi Severson
Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals · Steven’s Point
Jacob J. Wittwer
Wisconsin Department of Justice · Madison
Presenters
8 total
Hon. Patrice A. Baker
Milwaukee County Probate Division · Milwaukee
Robert G. Barrington (Retired)
Dodge County District Attorney’s Office · Beaver Dam
Hon. Tania M. Bonnett
Adams County Circuit Court – Branch 2 · Friendship
Solomon H. Gatton
Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office · Sheboygan
Heather Kierzek
Office of Court Operations · Madison
Matthew Lantta
Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office · Janesville
Emily Nolan-Plutchak
Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office · Steven’s Point
Jessica Skemp
La Crosse County District Attorney's Office · La Crosse
Gain a better understanding of the purposes and practices of Wisconsin treatment courts
Understand how Wisconsin’s Treatment Court Standards ensure consistent practices
Learn who may be eligible to participate in treatment court programs
Come away with practical approaches for enhancing participant rehabilitation
Explore the legal and practical intersections of Chapters 51, 54, and 55
Analyze strategies for addressing common scenarios in competency cases
Government lawyers
Judges
Criminal law practitioners
Special needs lawyers
Public interest lawyers
Juvenile lawyers
Family lawyers
Guardians ad litem
Book Bonus!
Mental Health Law in Wisconsin: A Guide for Legal and Healthcare Professionals Save 15% on Mental Health Law in Wisconsin: A Guide for Legal and Healthcare Professionals.* Gain a better understanding of the intersection between mental health issues and the legal system. Use discount code CA3766 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.
*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/26. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.
