Judicial drug court judges seek county resolution to submit state grant application

Judges from two Angelina County criminal-court programs asked the Angelina County Commissioners Court on Jan. 7 to approve a resolution allowing submission of a state grant application to fund drug court programs.

Judge Todd Casaw, who identified himself as judge of the 159th Judicial District and the presiding officer for the 159th drug court, said both drug courts are applying for state grant funding to support program operations. He told the commissioners that the county has agreed to provide backup funding if state payments are delayed or if the application is not awarded, and that the application deadline is in February.

“This is something that we do every year,” Commissioner Rocky Big Bend said; Judge Casaw said he believes both drug courts have been “fairly successful” and that they have produced notable success stories. After brief discussion the court approved resolutions authorizing submission of the grant applications and execution by the county judge or judge pro tem.

Why it matters: the resolutions permit local drug-court programs for the 159th and 217th Judicial Districts to seek state grant funds to support treatment and reentry services. The county’s previously stated willingness to provide backup funding means county funds could be used temporarily if state disbursements are delayed.

Next steps: county staff will file the application in February and, if awarded, the county judge or judge pro tem will execute grant documents as authorized by the court.