Former GI Senator Honored as part of Problem-Solving Court Month Proclamation

Ray Aguilar and Margaret Buck

Nebraska Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke held a proclamation signing ceremony announcing Nebraska Problem-Solving Court Month on behalf of the State Judicial Branch on Monday.

The month of May is nationally recognized as National Treatment Court Month. With the diverse programming offered through Nebraska courts, it is appropriate to recognize the efforts of all of Nebraska’s problem-solving courts by proclaiming May as Problem-Solving Court Month. Chief Justice Funke issued a proclamation announcing the significance of Nebraska’s system of problem-solving courts, urging all citizens, particularly those within the legal community, to take note of the occasion. District Court Judge Stefanie Martinez of Sarpy County and Alex Strong a recent Sarpy County Adult Drug Court graduate spoke at the ceremony.

Additionally, Chief Justice Funke honored former State Senator Ray Aguilar and Legislative Aid Margaret Buck for their contributions to LB454 as the landmark legislation that officially codified Problem-Solving Courts into Nebraska Law.

Problem-Solving Courts, which operate through the Nebraska Judicial Branch, are innovative court programs that combine intensive community-based supervision, judicial accountability, and behavioral health treatment to intervene against crime by addressing circumstances underlying criminal conduct. Judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, supervision personnel, law enforcement, treatment providers, researchers, educators, and others dedicated to problem-solving courts work collaboratively to improve the lives of their participants and strengthen communities across the state.