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h.a.r.t Court

Helping Achieve Recovery Together

What We Do

The h.a.r.t. program is a two-year, four-phase opioid-specific drug court certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio giving defendants with a history of treatment, refusal, or non-compliance the opportunity to engage in addiction treatment.

Our Mission

h.a.r.t. addresses the needs of defendants who use opiates and whose history of treatment non-compliance and/or refusal to accept treatment has resulted in criminal charges by establishing effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration, improving quality of life, and increasing the safety of the community by providing court oversight and linking defendants to appropriate treatment and service providers.

"Drug courts save lives, we are saving lives. I am incredibly proud of our participants who have worked hard to find recovery and stay in recovery. They get their lives back, remain sober, become law abiding citizens, retain employment, raise their children, and help their peers in recovery."

— Judge Jodi Thomas, Presiding Judge over h.a.r.t.

Our History

Ohio has one of the highest drug overdose death rates nationally with 15% of the prison population being incarcerated for drug possession charges. Stemming from the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Program and Opiate Extension Program, h.a.r.t. became an independent specialized docket program in 2014 aiming to help participants avoid both those fates by giving defendants an alternative path. Graduates of h.a.r.t. are awarded the challenge coin to signify their hard work and dedication throughout the two years in the program.

“We’re hoping that the things that we’re doing now, that we’re providing them tools, and support, that way when bad things happen, they can handle them, and stay in recovery, be [sober], and do all of the amazing things we know that they have the potential to do”.

-Judge, Jodi Thomas

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Against all odds, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Jodi Thomas and her staff have kept tabs on the more than 100 people participating in h.a.r.t., using creative measures to help some of the criminal justice system's most vunerable people.

Read: Drug Court Stays Connected Despite Social Distancing
Watch: Drug Court’s HART-Felt Graduation

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The program started in 2009, just before drug overdose deaths began to skyrocket. As the opioid crisis spread in Ohio and across the country, Judge Scott VanDerKarr, retired Franklin County Municipal Court Judge and founder of the Court's drug court programs, saw perspectives change. Agencies began offering treatment and rehabilitation, and they offered support to the court program.

Read: A Decade of Diversion: Franklin County's Court For Addiction Recovery

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A court in Franklin County is taking an alternative to prosecuting those charged with felony drug charges by offering a therapeutic approach.

Read: 'I'm going to help them': Franklin County Judge Improving Lives Affected by Opioids

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What to Expect

Participants in h.a.r.t. agree to the following:

Complete substance use assessment and treatment recommendations
Comply with medications prescribed by medical doctors
Attend court, check-ins, and individual status reviews
Call in for randomized drug screens
Participation in individual or group counseling, mental health, and/or anger management treatment
No possession, purchase, sale, or use of illegal substances and/or alcohol

The Process

Legal eligibility criteria:

Offense occurred within the Court’s territorial jurisdiction
Referral on a pending misdemeanor charge related to an opiate use disorder
Issues resolved regarding competency to stand trial or insanity defenses
Plea to first-degree misdemeanor and complete paperwork and assessments
Transfers of pending community control sanctions with a new charges are eligible with agreement of assigned judge

Benefits of h.a.r.t.

Participants who complete the program will receive the following benefits:

Address alcohol and drug use, mental health challenges, family concerns, physical health care, homelessness and economic independence
Opportunity to vacate or dismiss eligible charges
Access to substance use, mental health and medication assisted treatment services
Assistance finding local employment, education, vocational training, housing and transportation

Participant Expectations

Participants discuss progress, participate and interact with other participants and receive help when they suffer setbacks. h.a.r.t. provides structured programming, support and resources and addresses barriers like housing, transportation and employment.

Participant Expectations
Benefits to Participants

Participants obtain a sober lifestyle, reducing potential of returning to jail and acquiring future charges. They often receive visitation and custody of children and experience improved relationships with Judges, coordinators, probation officers, service providers and the community.

Benefits to Participants
Requirements to Enter

Legal and clinical eligibility criteria, not demographics, are considered during candidate evaluation. The program is voluntary and the Judge has the final decision on admission based on eligibility, suitability, and participation during orientation.

Requirements to Enter

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h.a.r.t Court

What We Do

Our Mission

Our History

What to Expect

The Process

Benefits of h.a.r.t.

Participant Expectations Participants discuss progress, participate and interact with other participants and receive help when they suffer setbacks. h.a.r.t. provides structured programming, support and resources and addresses barriers like housing, transportation and employment.

Participant Expectations

Benefits to Participants

Requirements to Enter Legal and clinical eligibility criteria, not demographics, are considered during candidate evaluation. The program is voluntary and the Judge has the final decision on admission based on eligibility, suitability, and participation during orientation.

Requirements to Enter

Participant Expectations

Participants discuss progress, participate and interact with other participants and receive help when they suffer setbacks. h.a.r.t. provides structured programming, support and resources and addresses barriers like housing, transportation and employment.

Requirements to Enter

Legal and clinical eligibility criteria, not demographics, are considered during candidate evaluation. The program is voluntary and the Judge has the final decision on admission based on eligibility, suitability, and participation during orientation.