Grafstrom agreed to meet in the courtroom, which is still under construction, to have his picture taken and contribute some of his thoughts to this article. When asked if he would take a seat at the bench for a photograph, he replied,“ sure, but I’ m used to sitting over there,” while gesturing to the spot where the defendant’ s table will be when the courtroom is completed. Now 12 years sober, Grafstrom doesn’ t want the program to be judged simply by whether participants return to substance usage.“ I was one that, graduation day, resumed back to old behaviors that took about a two-year period to run its course. I don’ t think it is a fair judgment, because for myself, I had to go try it again, but I still credit much of what I learned in the accountability that drug court created to be able to quit that second go around.”
The Future of Treatment Courts
Nationally, problem-solving courts continue to have a significant impact on their communities. There are now more than 4,000 problemsolving courts in the United States, serving more than 150,000 participants annually. This spring, more than 7,000 professionals from across the United States gathered at the national All Rise Conference to learn from subject
Hans Grafstrom, a graduate of adult Cass County treatment court, is now the general contractor for Cass County’ s newest courtroom.
matter experts about the most up-to-date best practices and innovative approaches to problem-solving courts. The North Dakota delegation included 32 members from 10 teams across the state. Ideas gathered from the conference will contribute to the ongoing efforts of the state’ s courts, including North Dakota’ s two first treatment courts, which are still going strong.“ The success and longevity of the Juvenile Drug Court in Cass County is the result of the contributions by many members of the community. We are very fortunate that our law enforcement community, treatment community, and school community have all invested considerable time and energy in helping our youth achieve and maintain long-term sobriety,” said Judge Tristan Van de Streek, who currently presides over the East Central Judicial District’ s Juvenile Treatment Court.
Justice Maring encourages others to attend a treatment court session to see for themselves what the program is all about.“ I still get a little emotional about it because I’ ve seen the effect that it’ s had on individuals. We just can’ t lock everybody up. [ People ] can recover, and they can lead productive lives and be good citizens.”
Grafstrom would also like to see treatment courts continue to thrive in the state.“ I feel the program works. I think it is worth the effort, and I think it improves lives. Out of all the life experiences I’ ve had, that holds a very high place in my life as being of importance. At this point, I wouldn’ t trade it for anything.”
Kimberlee J Hegvik is the Cass County State’ s Attorney and Nicholas S. Samuelson is an assistant state’ s attorney for Cass County.
1. On March 14, 2025, Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1030 into law, which renames“ drug courts” to“ treatment courts” in statute. This change goes into effect August 1. Nationally, the term“ treatment court” is used as an umbrella to describe all problem-solving courts, including drug courts, veterans treatment courts, and mental health courts. 2. Douglas B. Marlowe, Research Update on Adult Drug Courts, Dec. 2010, accessed July 3, 2025( https:// www. ojp. gov / ncjrs / virtual-library / abstracts / research-update-adult-drug-courts).
“ It was obvious Wick had thoroughly reviewed the materials provided to him and was fully prepared for the mediation. The result was a successful conclusion in what I venture was record time.”
Craig Johnson, Fargo, ND
SUMMER 2025 21