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OVI court celebrates 1st anniversary,150th graduate
Published: July 1, 2016
AKRON––Judge Katarina Cook recently took part in the celebration of the Akron OVI Court’s first anniversary of being certifed by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The OVI Court was established in 2007 and is a specialized docket subject to the overview of the Ohio Supreme Court.
The OVI Court program achieved certification by the Ohio Supreme Court on June 17, 2015.
In a special letter of commendation, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated Judge Cook for this important accomplishment in service to the community.
OVI Court sessions are held Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. in Judge Cook’s courtroom on the ninth floor of the Akron Municipal Court.
Judge Cook was initially elected to the Akron Municipal Court in 2009, and in addition to her regular duties, has presided over OVI Court since June of 2012.
In connection with the first anniversary celebration, Judge Cook and her treatment team were also proud to recognize the 150th graduate from the OVI Court program, Mr. Kenneth Johnson, during the June 7, 2016, session.
Johnson remarked that he “enjoyed the journey” of being part of the OVI Court program and was pleased to report that he had been able to encourage others to attend AA meetings and stay sober.
Judge Cook presented Johnson with an AA Big Book and movie tickets as gifts in recognition of his achievement.
On that same day, the court was surprised and honored with a special rap music poem written and performed by OVI Court participant Marier Costa.
In his poem, Costa offered special thanks to God for helping him to keep “shining bright” and carrying the message of sobriety to others.
Costa also treated Judge Cook to a greeting card expressing his gratitude to her for extending “tough love” and making a significant impact on his recovery.
Under Judge Cook’s leadership, a significant enhancement to the OVI Court program has been the addition of an onsite AA meeting, which takes place every Tuesday at noon prior to the start of each session, in the jury room, while the team meeting is taking place in the courtroom.
One of the requirements of the program is regular participation in AA or other recovery meetings.
The opportunity to attend an AA meeting provides participants with “one-stop shopping.” It’s a chance to fulfill a program requirement and also gives them meaningful use of their time.
The meeting is conducted by Mark Salchak, director of the Interval Brotherhood Home (“IBH”) REACH project, and is attended by OVI Court participants and REACH project members collectively.
In addition to IBH, the OVI Court program prides itself on a collaboration with the following agencies: Community Health Center, Mature Services, city of Akron Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Legal Defender, Summit County Sheriff, Oriana House, ADM Board and the city of Akron Police Department.
“These agencies work closely with the OVI Court program to provide the most intensive and comprehensive treatment possible to each offender entering the program,” said Judge Cook. “Without the support of dedicated community leaders, the OVI Court would not have the high percentage of successful graduations. We are continually updating our best practices to deal with a very serious public safety issue.”
In order to be eligible for the OVI Court program, participants must have two or more alcohol-related driving convictions, demonstrate a desire to change their behavior, show willingness to complete a treatment program and have a limited, nonviolent prior criminal history.
The OVI Court program involves regular appearances before Judge Cook, intensive probation supervision which includes a period of continuous alcohol monitoring, random drug and alcohol testing, completion of individualized treatment programming, participation in AA or other approved recovery programs, and incentives for compliance.
The goals of the OVI Court program are to enhance public safety, reduce jail overcrowding, reduce recidivism, assist participants in obtaining a valid driver’s license and help participants establish and maintain gainful employment.
Currently there are only seven OVI Court programs in Ohio and Judge Cook periodically has judges from other counties observing in order to bring this concept to their “home court.”
The OVI Court program presently has 74 participants, and boasts a 70 percent graduation rate.
To learn more about the Akron OVI Court program, please contact Judge Katarina Cook’s court at 330-375-2053 or visit the Akron Municipal Court website at https://courts.akronohio.gov.