FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2016
Seven to Graduate From Lowell Drug Court at Ceremony
What:
District Court Chief Justice Paul C. Dawley will be one of several court leaders and local officials to attend a graduation and awards ceremony recognizing the first graduates of the Lowell Drug Court session. The ceremony, hosted by presiding Judge Thomas M. Brennan, acting First Justice of the Lowell District Court, marks the successful completion by seven graduates from the 18- to 24-month intensive probation program. The Lowell Drug Court held its first session in June of 2014.
Other attendees from the court include District Court Regional Administrative Justice Stacey J. Fortes; Lowell District Court Judges Ellen M. Caulo and Daniel C. Crane; District Court Judge and Director of Specialty Courts Mary Hogan Sullivan; Brian Mirasolo, a Field Services Administrator for the Office of the Commissioner of Probation; and Lowell District Court Chief Probation Officer Steven Mastandrea.
Judge Brennan will deliver opening remarks. Other local officials who are expected to attend the graduation and speak include Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian; and Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor. Several local police chiefs will also be in attendance.
Specialty courts are court sessions that provide court-supervised probation and mandated treatment focused on treating the mental health or substance abuse issues underlying criminal behavior. Massachusetts has four types of specialty court sessions: drug courts, mental health courts, veterans’ treatment courts, and homeless court. The Trial Court is currently operating 37 specialty courts throughout the state. The specialty courts are comprised of 22 drug courts, 6 mental health courts, 3 juvenile courts, 5 veterans’ treatment courts, and 1 homeless court.
When:
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
1:00 p.m.
Where:
Lowell District Court - Courtroom 4
41 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA
CONTACT: Jennifer Donahue/Erika Gully-Santiago
617/557-1114
Jennifer.Donahue@sjc.state.ma.us