About TASC
Purpose
The Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) was founded to:
- Increase local and statewide political, media and community awareness of the existence and success of drug courts;
- Support legislation authorizing funding for the operation of drug courts;
- Provide support for jurisdictions wanting to establish drug courts.
Mission
The Texas Association of Specialty Court Courts (TASC) builds and strengthens Texas specialty courts through collaboration, advocacy and education.
History
Drug Courts are special courts given the responsibility to handle cases involving chemically dependent offenders through an intensive supervision and treatment program. Based on an innovative program that was first developed in Miami in 1989, Drug Courts have received wide-spread attention as an effective treatment strategy for chemically dependent criminal offenders. Drug Courts attempt to solve some of the underlying problems leading to criminal behavior by forcing offenders to deal with their substance abuse problems. The design and structure of Drug Court programs are developed at the local level and reflect the unique strengths and needs of each community. Drug Court participants are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing and report frequently to the Judge and program staff. Drug Courts are not in adversarial relationships, rather all parties work together toward the long term sobriety of the participant - judges, treatment providers, probation officers, law enforcement officers and others.
Board of Directors 2019 – 2020
Executive Committee | |
President The Honorable B. Michael Chitty Kaufman County (972) 932-0257 |
President Elect Hank Judin Defense Attorney Dallas County 214-750-8555 / 214-668-4845 |
Vice President The Honorable Peter Sakai Bexar County 210-335-2300 / 210-887-6100 |
Treasurer Mary Covington Special Programs Manager Harris County 713-755-4610 / 713-859-8511 |
Secretary Erin Morgan Senior Probation Officer Travis County CSCD 512-854-5737 / 512-636-4516 |
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Board of Directors | |
Region 1 Lesli R. Fitzpatrick Attorney at Law 512-426-5993 / 512-426-5993 |
Region 2 Elizabeth Cortright Attorney at Law Tarrant County (214) 679-6160 |
Region 3 The Honorable Jeff M. Addison Bowie & Red River Counties 903-627-6835 / 903-277-1143 |
Region 4 The Honorable John B. Board Potter County 806-468-5559 / 806-236-5444 |
Region 5 Faustino Lopez Deputy Director Hidalgo County 956-587-6016 / 956-655-1522 |
Region 6 The Honorable Paul White Angelina County 936-639-3913 / 936-465-2691 |
Region 7 Jose Montoya El Paso County 915-373-3361 / 915-232-7474 |
Harris County Jeannette Kolarik Program Director Harris County 832-927-4347 |
Bexar County The Honorable Ernie L. Glenn Bexar County 210-335-3065 / 210-863-3156 |
Dallas County Kimberly Duran Program Clinician Dallas County 214-653-3782 / 214-475-1055 |
At Large Place #1 Shay Rustam Assistant County Attorney Montgomery County 936-539-7828 / 281-352-9070 |
At Large Place #2 Lori Compton Captain/Assistant Jail Administrator Kaufman County 972-932-9721 / 903-519-0323 |
Executive Director Amber Gregory 936-294-3916 / 281-961-4404 |
About Specialty Courts
Starting a Specialty Court Program
Drug Court
Planning & Implementing Drug Court Programs in Texas: A Resource Guide
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
National Drug Court Institute
DWI Court
Texas Center for the Judiciary, DWI Court Basic & Advanced Training
Veterans Court
Mental Health Court
Policies & Procedures
Texas Existing Specialized Court Programs by County, April 2014
DWI Court Policies & Procedures
Drug Court Entry Checklist
El Paso Veteran's Court Brochure
Commissioners Court Resolution Establishing Drug Court Program