Some people deserve second chances.

At least that’s what Community Court Program Manager Somer Johnson and Enumclaw City Prosecutor and Black Diamond Judge Krista Swain believe.

The two run the Enumclaw, Black Diamond, and Sumner community court programs, which serve as an alternative to the traditional justice system that, oftentimes, is simply a revolving door for some.

Johnson and Swain gave a presentation about the program — which is also referred to a therapeutic or mental health court — to the Enumclaw City Council on Aug. 12, in part to dispel some notions that there aren’t any guidelines.

“We developed policies and procedures long before we began the program in [2022], and those were cobbled together from a lot of other therapeutic court programs around the state,” Swain said, noting that over the last two years, Swain, Johnson, and other counselors attend both regional and national trainings and conferences and update their policies. “There are national standards that we have to follow… best practices that we are required to follow in order to get” a part of a $10 million pot of money the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts grants to these programs.

Here’s how community courts run, in a nutshell.

In Enumclaw, everything starts with Swain, who describes herself as the “gatekeeper” for who gets to be enrolled in Community Court and who doesn’t. Only a small fraction of the people she prosecutes are eligible, she said.

Swain is looking for people who fill a number of criteria. First, anyone accused of a sexual crime or have certain prior felony convictions are generally not considered.

Additionally, the individual must want to participate in the program and be genuine about wanting to wanting to improve their situation, whatever it may be; community court focuses on connecting participants to mental health programs, drug rehab services, food banks, and emergency and long-term housing providers, as poor mental health, addiction, food insecurity, and homelessness are some of the biggest factors as to why some people find themselves inside that revolving door.

For Jaydn Bond, it was mental health and alcohol addiction.

Back in 2016, she was arrested for DUI in Buckley; she was able to have her charge amended to negligent driving after limited counseling and participating in a 90-day interlock program.

Bond vowed to make better decisions, but her mental health spiraled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she found herself arrested again for DUI in Enumclaws, which is how her case landed in from of Swain in April 2022.

After being enrolled, Johnson helped Bond get connected with a psychiatrist, group therapy, and rehab services; she also had participate in community service and attend multiple check-ins with Swain, Johnson, and Enumclaw Judge Robert Hamilton for a year and a half to stay enrolled.

During that time, “I started to see my potential and purpose… [by] diving in to my sobriety, therapy, and being part of a program where I was cheered on… where I was supported and provided the resources I didn’t know that I needed,” Bond said to the council, tearing up and reaching for Johnson, who joined her at the podium. “… I am so grateful to have been granted an experience as this.”

Bond is not only a graduate of Enumclaw’s community court, but she is also two years sober and a certified peer counselor specialist for the program, helping others the way she was helped.

“I sometimes wonder what my journey would have looked like if Buckley would have had a community court… and I would have been provided the same opportunity at an earlier time before I has hit my rock bottom,” she continued. “Without the help [and] support of community court… I would not be the person standing before you today.”

July 11, 2023, was the first Enumclaw Community Court graduation ceremony; back then, there was little local data to show that the program was a success.

But a year later, there are some stats and stories that show community court is helping people not just stay out of trouble with the law, but improve their lives.

According to Johnson and Swain, out of Enumclaw’s 26 total participants, seven have graduated. One has found themselves working as a wildland firefighter, is staying sober, and is living in stable housing; another got a driver’s license, insurance, and also found their first home; a third is now enrolled in schooling and is keeping down a job.

None of the seven have any new criminal convictions, and it’s the same story for Black Diamond and Sumner’s graduates as well.

But although Community Court is designed be individualized for every participant (to an extent), that doesn’t mean every story is a success. Being revoked can be harsh, as participants who enroll in community court agree to skip trial if they cannot continue in the program and to be sentenced immediately by a judge.

One participant in Black Diamond was revoked due to a lack of engagement; one in Sumner continued their substance use and preferred immediate judgement rather than waiting for inpatient treatment; and a third said the program was simply too demanding.

And still others struggle while they’re enrolled or revoked, but continue to work toward improving their lives.

While not yet revoked, four participants are currently in warrant status, but one continues to fulfill all their requirements of community court despite this; and while another two were revoked because of new criminal charges, they both continue to work alongside the program and are committed to improving their mental health.

Johnson, who is now ten years sober, knows all about these struggles and successes, the ups and downs.

Real change, she wrote in an email to the community court participants about her decade-long milestone, comes from a belief in yourself and support from others.

“As we work with those facing addiction, let’s remember the impact we can have. Our compassion and dedication in community court and in the courtroom offers hope and shows people they are valued. It’s a powerful reminder that we are all capable of change and growth.”