Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Courts Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New 20th Judicial District office outlines problem‑solving and competency court plans
Summary
Assistant district attorney Darcy Kofel introduced the newly formed 20th Judicial District (JD23), listed staff counts and specialty units, and described plans to expand problem‑solving courts, veterans court and a competency court model to better serve defendants with substance‑use and mental‑health needs.
Darcy Kofel, the assistant district attorney leading the newly established 20th Judicial District office, presented the office structure and priorities after being sworn in in January. Kofel said JD23 has about 100 total staff, including 39 prosecutors and seven investigators, and described specialized units for organized crime, family violence, juvenile prosecution and appeals. She said the office will work with federal and local partners on organized narcotics cases and pursue a robust grand jury practice for cases that span jurisdictions.
Kofel highlighted problem‑solving courts — such as recovery court, veterans court and potential local competency court models — as priorities. She described the courts as accountability programs that require participant buy‑in and recurring check‑ins, and said the office is modeling competency court work on regional best practice in which evaluations and doctor consultations occur early to avoid long delays. Kofel said the courts are labor intensive but can produce meaningful outcomes for participants and reduce repeated court failures.
Sheriff Darren Weekley and other law‑enforcement leaders praised the JD23 transition, saying communication and responsiveness improved immediately. Kofel and county leaders said problem‑solving courts can work alongside HEART and community partners to provide alternatives to incarceration for defendants with substance‑use or behavioral‑health needs.
