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Reno/Lake Tahoe

Advanced Issues in Cases Involving Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders

June 7-10, 2010 | Reno, NV
Tuition: $985 | Conference Fee: $245

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Many cases involve defendants with drugs or alcohol addictions. Often such defendants also suffer from various mental health disorders. Judges who handle these cases need to have a thorough understanding of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders as they impact the justice system generally and impaired driving cases specifically. As an advanced course, emphasis is placed on integrating knowledge of co-occurring disorders with the judge’s practical in-court experience. 

After taking this course, participants will be able to identify and request appropriate assessments for defendants with major mental disorders; select appropriate judicial strategies and tools for treatment and monitoring; and design a plan to implement strategies to address defendants with co-occurring disorders. Participants will attend a BJA-designated mental health court site; discuss ethical issues facing judges; and review alternatives for a “media catastrophe.”  

This is an advanced class, participants should have working knowledge of mental health disorders as commonly seen in courts. The course is suitable for judges who have previously attended either the Fundamentals of Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders; Managing Cases Involving Persons with Mental Disorders; Practical Approaches to Substance Abuse Issues; or Impaired Driving Case Essentials at the NJC. 

Qualifies as an elective for the Certificate in Judicial Development, General Jurisdiction Trial Skills, Special Court Trial Skills, and Tribal Judicial Skills programs.

Problem-Solving Courses

The NJC offers several courses that focus on problem-solving techniques. See the 2010 Course Planner for additional problem-solving courses.