New Mexico Problem-Solving Courts use the collaborative treatment-based Drug Court model to work with repeat offenders whose criminal activity is driven by underlying substance abuse or mental illness. As alternatives to incarceration, these programs focus on the successful rehabilitation of participants through early, continuous, and intense judicial oversight, treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, and use of appropriate sanctions, incentives, and other community-based rehabilitation services. In New Mexico, we include the four types of drug courts (Adult, Juvenile, Family Dependency, and DWI) along with Mental Health (or "Treatment") courts under the term Problem-Solving Courts.
The first New Mexico Problem-Solving Court started in 1994 and there are currently 50 active Problem-Solving Courts in the state (with several more in the planning or pilot stage). These include seventeen Adult/Felony, sixteen Juvenile, three Family Dependency, seven DWI/Drug Courts, and five Treatment Courts.
The first New Mexico Problem-Solving Court started in 1994 and there are currently 50 active Problem-Solving Courts in the state (with several more in the planning or pilot stage). These include seventeen Adult/Felony, sixteen Juvenile, three Family Dependency, seven DWI/Drug Courts, and five Treatment Courts.