Treatment Court
Treatment Courts represent a shift in the way courts are handling certain offenders and working with key stakeholders in the justice system. In this approach, the court works closely with prosecutors, public defenders, probation agents, social workers, and other justice system partners to develop a strategy that will pressure an offender into completing a treatment program and abstaining from repeating the behaviors that brought them to court.
Treatment courts are the single most successful intervention in our nation’s history for leading people living with substance use and mental health disorders out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability. They improve education, employment, housing, and financial stability; and promote family reunification. Instead of viewing addiction as a moral failing, they view it as a disease. Instead of punishment, they offer treatment. Instead of indifference, they show compassion.
Treatment court strategies include regular appearances before a judge, intensive supervision by a probation officer, frequent drug and alcohol testing that is random and individualized, and using immediate sanctions and incentives to reward program compliance and respond to program non-compliance. Research shows that when these strategies are implemented correctly, treatment courts improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars.
DWI Court
The Otter Tail County DWI Court Program began in February 2008 with a plethora of partners. Partners include, but are not limited to, the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office, Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department, Otter Tail County Human Services, Minnesota Judicial Branch, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and the Fergus Falls Police Department. This DWI Court team works collaboratively to best serve the needs of each participant while addressing public safety.
The Mission Statement of Otter Tail County DWI Court is to “Enhance public safety by reducing the number or fatal and severe injury traffic crashes related to substance use and reduce the number of repeat offenders which reduce financial and societal costs by providing a judicially supervised program of coordinated, effective treatment and supportive services to substance-abusing offenders with the goal of returning sober, productive, law-abiding citizens to the community.”
The program is a five-phase model which takes an average of 20 months to complete. The type of treatment and duration of the program is determined by the needs of each individual participant. Otter Tail County Probation provides a full-time Probation Agent who receives specialized training in treatment courts. The Probation Agent utilizes validated risk and need assessments to develop individualized case plans. The Probation Agent provides ongoing support and accountability to guide each participant toward positive, lasting behavior change.
DWI Court supervision involves individualized case planning. Effective supervision relies on the use of evidence-based practices. Validated risk and needs assessments are utilized for all participants in DWI Court. Case planning and cognitive behavioral interventions are essential tools in guiding positive behavior change. Relationship building with the client and community stakeholders is a focal point while also working with clients to restore the harm committed to the best of their ability.
A Surveillance Officer employed with Otter Tail County Probation compliments the work of the Probation Agent by conducting random, unannounced field visits with drug/alcohol testing. These field visits are most often completed during non-traditional hours of nights and weekends. These field visits also ensure compliance with the curfew set by the Court.
Drug Court
The Otter Tail County Drug Treatment Court began in April 2022 with a plethora of partners. Partners include, but are not limited to, the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office, Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department, Otter Tail County Human Services, Minnesota Judicial Branch, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and the Fergus Falls Police Department. This Treatment Court team works collaboratively to best serve the needs of each participant while addressing public safety.
The program is a five-phase model which takes an average of 15 months to complete. The type of treatment and duration of the program is determined by the needs of each individual participant. Otter Tail County Probation provides a full-time Probation Agent who receives specialized training in treatment courts. The Probation Agent utilizes validated risk and need assessments to develop individualized case plans. The Probation Agent provides ongoing support and accountability to guide each participant toward positive, lasting behavior change.
Drug Court supervision involves individualized case planning. Effective supervision relies on the use of evidence-based practices. Validated risk and needs assessments are utilized for all participants in Drug Court. Case planning and cognitive behavioral interventions are essential tools in guiding positive behavior change. Relationship building with the client and community stakeholders is a focal point while also working with clients to restore the harm committed to the best of their ability.
A Surveillance Officer employed with Otter Tail County Probation compliments the work of the Probation Agent by conducting random, unannounced field visits with drug/alcohol testing. These field visits are most often completed during non-traditional hours of nights and weekends. These field visits also ensure compliance with the curfew set by the Court.