Justice Speakers Institute

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Judge Lawton Stephens shares his three-decade journey on the bench, offering insights into Georgia's evolving accountability courts. From launching drug courts to chairing statewide judicial conferences, Judge Stephens discusses the future of treatment courts and the vital role of compassion and structure in criminal justice reform.

This episode of Justice Speaks highlights the leadership journey of Chief Daniel Hernandez of the Orange County Probation Department. From juvenile hall to Chief Officer, he shares insights on probation innovation, early intervention, and the qualities of effective probation officers in today's justice system.

Judge Robert Anchondo, Texas' first DWI Treatment Court pioneer, reflects on his judicial journey, the evolution of impaired driving courts, and the importance of mentorship and systemic support. This insightful conversation explores challenges and innovations in specialty courts across Texas and beyond.

This Justice Speaks episode highlights Desiree Hermocillo's leadership in Colorado Problem-Solving Courts. She shares how statewide coordination, funding models, and training initiatives support court innovation. From launching wellness courts to building data systems, Hermocillo outlines strategies that strengthen Colorado's commitment to Treatment Courts.

In this episode of Justice Speaks, Abbey Geffken discusses her leadership journey in Pennsylvania's treatment court system. She shares insights on expanding training access, engaging law enforcement, and strengthening partnerships. Her strategic approach offers a blueprint for statewide treatment court growth and innovation.

In this 75th episode of Justice Speaks, JSI Co-President David Wallace interviews Cynthia Herriott, the new Vice President of Law Enforcement. Together, they explore the evolving role of ethical leadership, the importance of community engagement, and how addiction intersects with the justice system and criminal conduct. Herriott's experience as a former police chief informs her deep insight into progressive reforms in law enforcement and her vision for transformative justice.

Bill Blundell, Statewide Problem-Solving Court Manager for Illinois, shares how the state is enhancing its Problem-Solving Courts through strategic planning, federal funding, and collaborative training. This insightful conversation highlights innovative approaches and future goals aimed at expanding access to justice and strengthening specialized courts across Illinois.

Sheriff Ray Washington joins Justice Speaks to explore the Move Over Law and share his own powerful story about being struck on duty and the importance of the move over law. He and host David Wallace emphasize the dangers of distracted driving, the importance of public awareness, and how Wayne County is leading efforts to keep emergency responders safe.

This episode of Justice Speaks highlights how North Dakota treatment courts thrive through cross-agency collaboration. Jess Throlson and John Gorde share how statewide training, legislative support, and strategic planning are advancing justice reform. Learn how rural challenges are being addressed and what's next for the state's specialty courts.  This episode is sponsored by Reconnect. 

In this episode of Justice Speaks, we continue our series with State Drug Court Coordinators through an interview with Ms. Kaylee Dickenson, the State Drug Court Coordinator for West Virginia. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect. Ms. Dickenson begins by detailing her early career in corrections at the Southern Regional Jail and Beckley Correction Center, experiences that laid the foundation for her transition into probation—a role that first introduced her to Treatment Courts. In her capacity as a probation officer, she engaged with treatment-focused justice by attending the State Drug Court Conference and managing adult Drug Courts in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. Her accomplishments in these counties and her commitment to therapeutic justice led to her promotion as a Treatment Court evaluator, where she oversaw evaluations for Family Treatment Courts and then to State Drug Court Coordinator.  In her role, Ms. Dickenson ensures that Treatment Courts across all 55 West Virginia counties adhere to best practice standards, providing tailored feedback and guidance to enhance each court's impact on participants and the broader community. A key theme in her discussion is the systematic approach to treatment court coordination in West Virginia. Ms. Dickenson elaborates on her role in organizing the State Treatment Court Conference, a biennial event funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance that delivers essential training and resources to judges and probation officers statewide. This conference, which is free for attendees, serves as a platform for knowledge sharing on emerging best practices and evidence-based approaches. Working closely with an educational committee, Ms. Dickenson is involved in all aspects of conference planning, ensuring that treatment courts remain informed about the latest advancements in supporting participants.

In this episode of Justice Speaks, we return to the field of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, interviewing Dr. Yasuhiro Maruyama, a distinguished professor of criminal justice at Rissho University in Tokyo. Dr. Maruyama begins by recounting his early academic interests and his first exposure to Drug Courts in the United States. His initial study of Drug Courts as a young student led him to the U.S., where he observed problem-solving courts firsthand. In the U.S., he formed bonds with notable figures in the field, including JSI Co-Founder Judge Peggy Hora whom he affectionately considers his “American mother.”  Her mentorship helped shape his dedication to understanding the application and impact of Therapeutic Jurisprudence globally. The discussion then shifts to Dr. Maruyama's areas of focus within Japanese criminology, including the contrasting policies Japan employs toward criminal punishment and support for vulnerable populations. He describes what he calls a “bipolarization” in Japan's criminal justice system, where harsh penalties coexist with newer rehabilitative measures aimed at helping individuals such as juveniles, the elderly, drug users, and those with developmental disorders. Despite these advancements, Dr. Maruyama notes a significant lack of support for these populations, especially when compared to treatment-oriented approaches in other nations. Dr. Maruyama also discusses Japan's unique “lay judge” system, where citizen judges participate alongside professional judges in serious criminal cases. Unlike jury systems in the United States, Japanese lay judges help determine both guilt and sentencing. He notes that Japan's judicial philosophy emphasizes punishment based solely on past actions, contrasting with the U.S., where preventive detention may be applied. This approach, influenced by historical experiences from World War II, prioritizes punishment only after crimes have occurred, reflecting Japan's commitment to avoiding preemptive punitive measures.

This episode of Justice Speaks highlights a important initiative by the United States Department of Justice, specifically through the Office of Justice Programs, to reduce crime. In this episode, we interview Judge Karen Friedman (Ret.), Director of Criminal Justice Innovation, Development, and Engagement for the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

Justice Speaks is continuing a series of interviews regarding individuals who are impacting the Justice System, specifically in this case, for those who are under supervision in the form of pretrial services. In this episode we interview Wendy Venvertloh, Executive Director of National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies.  This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.  Director Venvertloh begins by sharing her background, which is deeply rooted in community corrections. Originally planning to pursue a PhD in criminal justice, she quickly found her passion working in the field. She reflects on her experiences at the Adams County, Illinois Probation Department, before transitioning to a state-level role in Illinois as the pretrial administrator for the administrative office of the courts. Her involvement in the creation of the Statewide Pretrial Office, and later her appointment as its deputy director, solidified her position as a leader in the field. She also highlights the history and mission of NAPSA, a national organization with a 51-year legacy of providing education and technical assistance to professionals in pretrial services. Director Venvertloh shares recent milestones for NAPSA, including record-breaking attendance at its annual confe

This episode of "Justice Speaks" continues the series of interviews with individuals who impact the Justice System by supervising individuals under community supervision in the form of probation or parole. In this episode, we interview Janel McFeat, the executive director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, who has been instrumental in expanding the reentry movement. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

This episode of Justice Speaks continues its series of interviews with individuals who are impacting the Justice System.  In this episode, we interview Ms. Tamika Nelson, the Chief Probation officer for the San Diego County Probation Department.  This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

This episode of Justice Speaks continues its series of interviews with individuals who are impacting the Justice System.  In this episode, we interview Mr. David Rogers, who is the Training Director for the National Native Center of Excellence (NNCOE) about justice issues in tribal courts. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with Justice leaders interviewing Scott Taylor with 45 years in the field of Corrections.  He has worked in juvenile and adult institutions, run a Residential Center, served as counselor, Probation& Parole Officer, Supervisor, and as  a County and State Director of Probation and Parole in Oregon. He is Past Treasurer and President of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with Justice leaders by interviewing Dr. William Morrone, Medical Director of Recovery Pathways and the Shiawassee 35th Circuit Drug Court, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University, Faculty of Family and Community Medicine, at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM).  The discussion covers substance use disorder and medications that can aid in recovery. This episode is sponsored by Indivior.

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with Justice leaders interviewing Marcus Hodges, Associate Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOCA) in Washington, D.C and President-Elect of the APPA.

This episode of Justice Speaks continues its series of interviews with individuals impacting the Justice System, turning to those who supervise individuals under community supervision in the form of probation or parole. In this episode we are interviewing Veronica Cunningham, the Executive Director of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with State Treatment Court Association leaders from the Illinois Association of Problem Solving Courts (ILAPSC), with Judge Janet Holmgren, President of ILAPSC, and and Matt Kindler, ILAPSC Conference Coordinator.

Justice Speaks continues JSI's series of interviews with State Treatment court Association leaders and State Treatment Court Coordinators interviewing Gray Barton, Director of the Administrative Office of the Problem-Solving Courts in Maryland.m This episode is sponsored by Reconnect. 

A conversation with New England Association of Recovery Court Professionals leadership about the Treatment Courts in New England and how the Assocation started.

A conversation with the State Drug Court Coordinator and manager about the state's Treatment Courts; how they are working, what are the challenges and some of the big successes.

JSI President David Wallace interviews Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) President and CEO David LaBahn about Prosecutors for Prosecutors and literally saving prosecutors and their families lives in Afghanistan. Prior to the United States leaving Afghanistan, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys and others worked to establish the Rule of Law in Afghanistan, holding individuals for terrorism, murder, and more accountable for their actions.  Now with a new regime, those who were prosecuted have been released and they are looking for revenge.   The APA and others are working to save those individuals who worked for the rule of law in Afghanistan.  This episode is a discussion about the work APA is doing for those prosecutors, it is Prosecutors for Prosecutors.  

An interview with the New Mexico's Drug Treatment Court Coordinator and what has been happening in New Mexico with its Treatment Courts.

An interview with the leadership of the Georgia Treatment Court field and what is happening with the state's Treatment Courts.

An interview with the Oklahoma Drug Court Coordinator about the state's Treatment Courts, how they work, their challenges and their successes.

Justice Speaks continues its series about State Treatment Court Associations. In this episode, we interview Judge Cristina Jaramillo representing the New Mexico Drug Association of Drug Court Professionals (NMADCP).

In this episode of Justice Speak, JSI President David Wallace speaks with Darrin Grondel with Responsibility.org, and Brian Swift, the Spokesperson for the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID).

JSI CFO, Judge Brian MacKenzie (Ret.), interviews Judge Andy Gill and Janet Hawley about the Arkansas Drug Court Professionals Association and the work it is doing to support Drug and Specialty Courts.

In this episode of Justice Speak, JSI President David Wallace speaks with Briana McCulloch, Executive Director of the Kailee Mills Foundation about the work being done to save lives on our roads and highways.

JSI Vice President Chief Mack Jenkins (Ret.) interviews Judge Stephen Manley of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County California and President of the California Association of Collaborative Courts about the current state of Collaborative Courts (CACC) in California.

Judge Brian MacKenzie, JSI Chief Financial Officer interviews Professor David Wexler, the creater of Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ). They discuss how he came up with the concept, what it means, and how it interacts with the justice system.

JSI Vice President Chief Mack Jenkins (Ret.) interviews Judge Melanie May about the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals and the important work being done in Florida.  Judge May is the current Chair of the Association. 

An interview with a leaders of the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals about the state's Treatment Court association, its history, what the association is doing now, and what is in its future.

JSI Co-President David Wallace interviews Banita Fidyova, the Secretary General of the World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims Foundation to discuss the work the Foundation is doing and how it is raising awarness and supporting traffic crash victims and familes.

An interview with a leader of the Texas Association of Specialty Courts about the state's Specialty Court association, its history, what the association is doing now, and what is in its future.

JSI Co-President David Wallace interviews Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, the Executive Director for the World Justice Project (WJP) to discuss the work the WJP is doing and the importance of the Rule of Law.

An interview with the Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals discussing what the TARCP is doing, its history and what is on the horizon.

In this episode, Justice Speaks starts a new series about State Treatment Court Associations.  This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.  In this episode, we interview Kimberly Kitzberger and Liesl Nelson who represent the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP).

Justice Speaks turns to the field of International Human Rights, interviewing Morton Kjaerum, Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.  The post Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #39 appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute.

JSI interviews Morten Kjaerum, Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law about the Institute, and on issues of the day regarding Human Rights around the globe.

An interview with Chief Mack Jenkins, former Chief of the San Diego's Probation Department and Justice Speakers Institute's new Vice President. 

In this episode, we interview Chief Mack Jenkins, the former head of the San Diego probation department. We also break the news that he has joined the Justice Speakers Institute (JSI) and accepted the position of Vice President.  The post Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #38 appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute.

An interview with Sheriff Donald Smith (Ret.), on traffic safety in general and bigger trucks specificially. Sheriff Smith is on Law Enforcement Board of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT).

This episode of Justice Speaks focuses on the issue of Traffic Safety, more specifically the impact that larger trucks can have on our roads and highways.   The post Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #37 appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute.

Judicial Education: Working to Become Better Judges An Interview with Joy Lyngar, Provost of the National Judicial College In this episode, Justice Speaks begins a new direction.  We will be interviewing leaders in the justice field about what they think about the current state of justice and what can be done to improve it.  We The post Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #36 appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute.

An interview with Joy Lyngar, Provost for the National Judicial College (NJC) and incoming President of the National Association of State Judicial Educators (NASJE).

Judges Tremewan and Aitken share their journey in establishing New Zealand's Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts, highlighting their unique features, transformative impact, and the collaborative efforts reshaping justice.

New Zealand’s Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts – Justice Speaks Podcast Judges Lisa Tremewan and Ema Aitken are the founders of the New Zealand Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts (AODTC).  The late Chief Judge, Russell Johnson, sent a delegation of judges to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ annual training conference in The post Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #35 appeared first on Justice Speakers Institute.