Potter County Looking Into ‘Specialty Courts’

Representatives from the Potter County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) traveled to Lewisburg last week for a first-hand look at the widely acclaimed “specialty court” system of Union County. More Pennsylvania courts have been developing a system to separate out cases involving defendants with mental illness and/or addictive disorders from the general criminal population. Studies repeatedly show that successful implementation of specialty courts can cut jail expenses and reduce the proportion of repeat offenders. Changes in Potter County are not imminent, but there is widespread support for the concept among the CJAB membership and the research will continue.