Muskingum County Court Judge Jay F. Vinsel was recently recertified by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets for the H.O.P.E. Court Program.

In 2007, the H.O.P.E. — Healthy Options Promoting Empowerment — Court Program was started by Judge Eric Martin. After Martin was appointed to serve as the Muskingum County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge by former Governor John Kasich in 2014, Vinsel took over the program as the presiding judge.

“The H.O.P.E. Court Program is a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to helping qualified individuals in a court monitored, community-based program in lieu of incarceration,” Vinsel said in a media release. 

The recertification process required the Muskingum County Court to submit an application, participate in a site visit and provide program material in accordance with certification standards.

Following the recertification process, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated the H.O.P.E. Court Program, as well as Vinsel for receiving recertification.

Vinsel stated that the program is based on voluntary participation, although each prospective individual must undergo an assessment to ensure they qualify for the program.

“The program offers individualized and/or addiction treatment coupled with ongoing court supervision,” Vinsel said. “The program is intense and lasts anywhere from one year to 18 months.”

The Muskingum County Court receives a $30,000 grant each fiscal year from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The grant assists the H.O.P.E. Court Program with addiction treatment, drug testing and recovery support for the program participants.

“If we can help make someone’s life better, our efforts are worthwhile,” Vinsel said. “We have to do what we can to make our world a better place.”