How do best practices apply in a court that targets violent crimes?

• In Event: A STEP in the Right Direction?: Evaluating a Specialty Court Targeting Violent Crimes

Abstract

STEP Court is designed to adhere to professional standards and best practices for specialty court programs, but how does that work with a population we rarely see? We discuss best practices and how they apply in STEP Court. We also discuss the specific and unique challenges the court faces as it navigates other agency policies and practices and the legal constraints of the justice system in Oregon. Finally, we outline and evaluate the practices and procedures the court has implemented that deviate from best practices.

Author

• Arynn Infante, Portland State University