Judge Angel announces launch of 12th Judicial District Recovery Court

PIKEVILLE, Tenn. — The trial judges of the Twelfth Judicial District of Tennessee are honored to announce the launch of a new and improved district wide Recovery Court.

“We are fortunate to work in partnership with the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency to implement and administer this newly expanded program,” Circuit Court Judge Justin Angel said.

The district is comprised of Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Marion, Rhea, Grundy, and Franklin counties. The program will focus on assisting non-violent offenders in all six of those counties with resources for counseling and recovery.

The Recovery Court will utilize three recently opened Day Reporting Centers; with each being strategically located to better serve the communities of the Twelfth District. These centers provide a location where participants can attend supervision meetings, obtain counseling, and find assistance with employment and housing needs.

“This program is exactly what our community needs to best combat addiction and recidivism,” Angel said. “This new model will allow us to reach more individuals throughout our large judicial district. Too often we see overdoses, fentanyl poisoning, drug crimes, and other drug related events that could be prevented by sobriety and recovery. This program will be on the frontlines working to administer justice when needed, while focusing on alternative methods of solving our drug problem.”

The official launch of the Recovery Court will be held with an event at the Sequatchie County Courthouse on Friday, Sept. 29, at 4 p.m. CDT.

“The Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency is proud to partner with the 12 th Judicial District and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide a path to recovery for nonviolent offenders. We are honored to work alongside judges who genuinely care about the people who come before them who are struggling with addiction. This program is not only an opportunity to save and change lives, but to improve the quality of life for the people we serve,” said Rachel C. Hackworth, MPA, Executive Director of SETHRA.