News
Allegheny County Drug Court Earns Honors
News Article
November 11, 2013
Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd presented Allegheny County Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski with a certificate of accreditation for the Fifth Judicial District’s DUI court.
Allegheny County’s DUI court is one of only seven programs of its kind in the Commonwealth certified by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. To become certified, a program must demonstrate the use of nationally recognized best practices. The practices include documentation of program policies and annual training standards that are specific to problem solving courts.
The Supreme Court’s accreditation process is part of an effort to promote statewide standards and boost integrity in adult drug and alcohol treatment programs that serve as alternatives to jail for eligible defendants.
“I am extremely pleased that our DUI court is receiving this recognition,” said Judge Sasinoski, who presides over the DUI court. “I attribute this acknowledgement to the strong and committed DUI team and the unwavering support of President Judge Donna Jo McDaniel and Administrative Judge Jeffrey A. Manning.”
The Supreme Court approved an accreditation program for adult drug and DUI courts in July 2011 after more than a year of development by a committee that included a judge, public defender, district attorney, drug and alcohol counselor, probation and parole officers, and representatives of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
The voluntary accreditation process gives counties a gauge of how a court’s operations compare to proven nationally recognized practices. Approval also brings enhanced recognition through accreditation and boosts prospects for available grants and other funding to continue the work.
Pennsylvania is believed to be one of only a handful of states employing the accreditation process, which varies by state.
For more information about Pennsylvania’s Drug Courts visit http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/drug-courts