Join Barbie Miller, Tierney Clement, Josh Henges, and Judge Martina Peterson as they explore the professional and ethical responsibilities of attorneys, judges, and legal stakeholders participating in CARE Court and Community Court—structured, problem-solving judicial models designed to address the root causes of justice involvement among unhoused and vulnerable individuals. These courts prioritize sustainable outcomes, including housing stability, treatment engagement, reduced recidivism, and restoration of community trust.
Participants will examine key ethical considerations inherent in these models, including maintaining impartiality, ensuring informed consent, protecting due process rights, safeguarding confidentiality in multidisciplinary collaboration, and navigating the balance between advocacy and therapeutic jurisprudence. The session will also address ethical obligations under applicable rules of professional conduct and judicial canons, particularly as they relate to nontraditional, collaborative court settings.
Through practical examples and guided discussion, this presentation will highlight how attorneys and judges can uphold their professional duties while advancing equitable access to justice. Attendees will gain insight into ethical decision-making in problem-solving courts, ensuring that accountability remains legally sound, participant-centered, and aligned with established standards of professional conduct.
This session will be submitted for 1.0 hour of CLE credit in Missouri and Kansas. Kansas credit is pending.