Alternatives to Standard Prosecution

This chapter begins with an introduction to the Sequential Intercept Model, which is a theoretical framework used to identify points of intervention and community alternatives for individuals with behavioral health treatment needs in the justice system. The authors outline each intercept and provide examples of interventions at each stage, including more detailed information about Intercept 3, which is the intercept at which problem-solving courts are found. The authors then review the history and development of problem-solving courts, highlighting important political events that influenced their growth. This chapter also includes a discussion about inclusion/exclusion criteria in problem-solving courts to better detail the populations they serve. The chapter concludes with a review of the strengths, limitations, and stakeholders’ (e.g., judges, attorneys, consumers) perceptions of problem-solving courts.