The Top Seven Things I Learned as a Drug Court Judge
By Judge John Grinsteiner , Retired
When it was suggested I should write an article about my time in the North Dakota drug courts , I jumped at the chance . Nothing in my legal career has stirred my emotions more . It was 2007 when my drug court involvement began . For the last 14 years , including three years when I was involved in both the juvenile and adult drug courts , I was a member of a drug court team in the South Central Judicial District . I am a member and past president of the North Dakota Association of Drug Court Professionals . I served on the Supreme Court ’ s Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Committee and represented North Dakota to the Congress of State Drug Court Associations . As you can see , I was all in ! Throughout my time on the bench , it was the gas in my tank during many weeks . I fully believe in the mission of drug courts and have witnessed nothing in the criminal justice system more effective at changing lives . The following are the top seven things I learned as a drug court judge . I hope you find something that can help you .
1 . We are in the People Business ! I ’ m assuming that is not the first time you have heard that , but in this instance , it really is true . Drug court taught me that , at a base level , everyone we come into contact with in this line of work is a human . They deserve to be treated with respect , listened to , and heard . They also deserve to be held accountable . Often it was respect and accountability that were missing from their lives . Drug court taught me the two concepts go hand in hand . In fact , one improves the other , and we as humans need both to be better people .
2 . Effective Communication ! I have read a lot of articles and books , watched webinars , and attended presentations on the subject , but nothing taught me more about effective communication than drug court . “ It ’ s all in how you talk to them ,” I was told early in my career . There is definitely some truth to that advice , but I would now add , “ it ’ s also in how you listen to them .” Showing kindness and respect go a long way with folks who have been shown little of either . Engaging people on a human level , especially from a place of authority , can drive home a point just as well as a nine-pound hammer . Working in the drug courts taught me that being authentic , showing humility , listening intently , offering encouragement , and always being thankful for something , even on the dark days , are some ways to effectively inspire others .
3 . Making a Connection ! If there was one thing that was consistent across the success stories in the drug court , it was that there was a connection between the participant and someone on the team . This was easy to identify but a mystery as to when , why , and how it happened . Connections seem to be a hindsight type of thing . You can usually see what your connection with someone is once its established , but it is a guessing game as to what will make that connection happen in the first place . To further confound , what connects us to one person won ’ t necessarily connect us to the next and , in fact , seldom does . It ’ s more magic than formula , but make no mistake , drug court has taught me that connections are what can truly change things for people .
4 . Something Can Be Rewarding and Frustrating at the Same Time ! My highest and lowest moments as a judicial officer were found in drug court . From a person no one thought would make it a week graduating from the program , to a person , despite all our tools and efforts , leaving in handcuffs headed to jail . For various reasons , some made it through and some didn ’ t . Some bought in to the program goals set for them and some didn ’ t . Some made a connection and some didn ’ t . Drug court taught me that accountability , although incredibly painful at times , makes us all better people . A very wise treatment provider told me our work with people is never wasted . That even if not successful now , we still plant the seeds for success to grow later on . “ When they are ready , they will remember we tried .” This advice has sustained me many a time .
5 . The Struggle is Real ! While this is often used in a funny context , making me laugh plenty of times ( think YouTube ), there is nothing funny about people ’ s true struggles . Drug court opened my eyes . It opened my mind , and it opened my heart . It made me a better judge and it definitely made me a better person . Seeing firsthand the things people can struggle with that others can do easily was an education . It made me realize I should never take for granted what I have or what I can do . Drug court
Judge John Grinsteiner recently retired from work as a district court judge for the South Central Judicial District with chambers in Mandan . He was a proud member of both the district ’ s juvenile and adult drug court teams . He is now serving as North Dakota ’ s first Judicial Outreach Liaison , where he continues to work with the state ’ s trial court judges and highway traffic safety stakeholders to improve process and outcomes , serving as an educator , community outreach advocate , consultant , and liaison , regarding impaired driving and other traffic issues in North Dakota .
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