# Nebraska Supreme Court celebrates problem-solving courts' success  
**Published:** 2026-05-05T10:30:43.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/05/im-not-the-exception-nebraska-supreme-court-highlights-success-of-problem-solving-courts/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/nebraska-supreme-court-celebrates-problem-solving-courts-success

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Supreme Court highlighted the transformative impact of problem-solving courts Monday, formally proclaiming May as "Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts Month" during a ceremony that featured the personal testimony of a recent graduate who transformed his life through the program.

Alex Strong, who graduated from the Sarpy County Adult Drug Court in mid-April, told court officials and legislators how the program pulled him from addiction when he had lost hope. Strong, who began his nearly three-year journey in the court battling substance abuse, credited the program for changing his trajectory.

"Today, I'm not just sober. I'm present. I'm a father. I'm a partner. I'm someone who shows up for my family and for my community. And I know without this program, I wouldn't be here today," Strong said during the Monday event.

According to the [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/05/im-not-the-exception-nebraska-supreme-court-highlights-success-of-problem-solving-courts/), problem-solving courts have been operating in Nebraska for 12 years, combining behavioral health treatment and community-based supervision from judges and multidisciplinary teams that include attorneys, probation officers and treatment providers.

Sarpy County District Judge Stefanie Martinez, who has presided over the adult drug court for about eight years, described Strong's transformation. When he entered the program, he was unemployed, homeless and unable to care for his children. "Like many who come before the court, he arrived overwhelmed, ashamed and unsure whether change was even possible," Martinez said.

The state operates 35 specialized courts across all 12 judicial districts, with roughly 43 judges statewide presiding over the programs. The court types now include Adult Drug and DUI Courts, Veterans Treatment Courts, Reentry Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, Young Adult Courts, Mental Health Courts and Family Treatment Courts.

The courts have demonstrated measurable success. Gene Cotter, state probation administrator, reported that since fiscal year 2020, problem-solving courts have seen 41 percent growth, with 58 percent of participants graduating last year. Of nearly 2,000 participants served annually, Cotter noted that without these courts, most would face incarceration at significantly higher costs.

Supervising problem-solving court participants costs approximately $5,000 annually, while incarceration costs far exceed that. "That is pennies on the dollar when compared to the alternatives," Cotter said.

A recent recidivism study showed that adults who graduate from problem-solving courts have a three-year recidivism rate of 15.5 percent, demonstrating effectiveness in reducing reoffending and protecting public safety.

Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke emphasized the broader community impact. "Families are brought back together who might have been estranged, all while protecting public safety, improving lives and strengthening communities," Funke said. "It's really rewarding, and it's a very positive use of taxpayer dollars."

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/05/im-not-the-exception-nebraska-supreme-court-highlights-success-of-problem-solving-courts/)
- [Nebraska Judicial Branch - Problem-Solving Courts](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/problem-solving-courts)
- [Nebraska Adult Problem-Solving Court Recidivism Study (March 2025)](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/publication-report-files/PSC-recidivisim-study-fy18-20.pdf)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/05/im-not-the-exception-nebraska-supreme-court-highlights-success-of-problem-solving-courts/.