Treatment Court
Our Mission
The Jasper County Treatment Court seeks to promote public safety and reduce recidivism through a collaborative, inter-agency response. These programs have proven to be cost effective over more traditional methods such as jail, while addressing the core issues surrounding substance abuse and mental illness to break the cycle of addiction and criminal activity. By providing a balance of accountability and therapeutic intervention, our Treatment Court offers participants the opportunity to improve their quality of life while transforming them into positive, contributing members of our community.
What is Treatment Court
Treatment Courts are specialized court dockets designed to provide non-violent individuals struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders the opportunity to change their lives through a blend of treatment, supervision, and judicial oversight. These courts aim to break the cycle of addiction and reduce recidivism by offering participants the necessary tools for lasting recovery.
Led by a Treatment Court Commissioner, interdisciplinary teams collaborate to support each participant's progress. These teams typically include court staff, prosecuting attorneys, treatment providers, court services officers, community resource providers, probation officers, and law enforcement professionals, all working together to create a path toward recovery.
Although eligibility criteria and requirements vary across Treatment Court programs, all participants must meet essential milestones to graduate. This includes demonstrating consistent abstinence from drugs and alcohol, fulfilling treatment and supervision conditions, completing program requirements, and paying any applicable fees or restitution.
Throughout the program, participants engage in treatment, undergo frequent random drug and alcohol testing, meet with their probation officer or court services officer, and attend regular court sessions. Before each court appearance, the Treatment Court team meets in a non-adversarial staffing to evaluate each participant's progress. In open court, the Commissioner acknowledges successes, addresses challenges, and determines the appropriate next steps.
Every participant receives an individualized assessment and treatment plan tailored to their specific clinical needs. Beyond substance abuse treatment, services may include trauma and mental health therapy, educational and vocational counseling, housing assistance, medical health referrals, and life skills development.
To learn more about Missouri Treatment Courts and their impact, click the link below.
Contact Information:
Jared Prater
Treatment Court Administrator
Phone: 417-438-4245
Email: Jared.Prater@courts.mo.gov
Testimonial Video
Informational Brochures and Resources
Treatment Court (DWI Court, Recovery Court, Veterans Court, Co-Occurring Disorders Court)
Jasper County Resource Guide