Shoreline therapeutic court takes new approach to low-level offenders

Next Tuesday, the city of Shoreline opens a new therapeutic court aimed at fixing the problems of offenders whose personal troubles get them in trouble with the law. King County Judge Joe Campagna will preside at Shoreline’s new community court.

The new therapeutic court comes with a resource office to help low-level offenders fix their life problems, in hopes it will keep them from getting in trouble with the law again.

“We’re making sure that we’re making our local areas safer and also using money wisely,” King County District Court Judge Joe Campagna told KIRO Radio. “They’re able to leave that court with a really different outlook on life, and that is a really gratifying thing to see because we don’t see it that often through the usual model.”

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The office will provide support for housing, employment, mental health and finances. Some of the therapeutic court-appointed help will be professionals and community volunteers.

Campagna says therapeutic courts, like drug court and community court, are a growing trend because they provide long-term solutions.

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“The community court model helps people improve their lives and break out of the cycle of repeated crime, while also holding them accountable. It’s a win-win for the court participants and the community.”

He says he’s seen many offenders transform their lives, making the public safer and often reducing court, hospital and police costs.