Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Practice: Changes in Family Treatment Court Norms Overtime
32 Pages Posted: 16 Apr 2015
Date Written: September 14, 2011
Abstract
Family Treatment Court (FTC) is an example of an increasing number of problem-centered courts currently operating in the US. Problem-centered courts such as FTC encompass the ideas of therapeutic jurisprudence but operate within the broader court system. Presented are the results of an FTC case study that seeks to understand the evolution of courtroom norms and practice over time. Observations of courtroom interactions and interviews with courtroom personnel show that initial observations are consistent with the ideals of therapeutic jurisprudence. However, overtime, daily demands and pressures on the courtroom undermine the therapeutic approach.
Keywords: drug court, child maltreatment, therapeutic jurisprudence, family treatment court, norms and practices
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