Turning Point

Turning Point is a judicially supervised court docket that is certified by the Ohio Supreme Court that focuses on intensive court-supervision for high-risk/high-need non-violent felony offenders who have committed crimes as a result of their addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. The program is at a minimum a one-year program that utilizes incentives and sanctions to help offenders in the program achieve sobriety. The program requires defendants to engage in drug and/or alcohol treatment, case management services, probation supervision and to participate in regular Court hearings with Judges Croce. Turning Point applies a therapeutic approach to treatment, wrap-around services, judicial engagement and accountability to address the underlying causes of each participant’s criminal behavior through a team approach.

Our treatment team consists of dedicated professionals within the treatment community, probation department, prosecutor’s office and law enforcement to provide resources, instruction, support, accountability and tools necessary for our participants to reach their personal “Turning Point.’

In order to receive this certification, the Judge Croce had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards.

Judge Croce along with her colleague Judge Oldfield started Faith-In-Recovery, a program designed to provide interested participants a spiritual component to their recovery. Judge Croce and Judge Oldfield along with their Probation Staff also worked to bring Summit County’s first specialized docket therapy dog, “Tank” to work with their Turning Point Participants. We continue to address the various needs of the Turning Point Participants through creative approaches to sobriety.

I credit the success of our Court to the hard work and dedication of the members of the Turning Point Team. “Turning Point’s mission is to improve the overall quality of life in Summit County by providing a cost-effective way to reduce crime and allow offenders to transform into positive, contributing community members. The level of care that participants receive from our treatment team helps participants be successful. We have the unique ability to hold offenders accountable through increased judicial involvement and oversight as well as make a positive impact by offering each participant the support and resources to live crime-free and drug-free lives. Overcoming addiction is challenging but attainable with the right tools. It is my honor to participate in each person’s path to recovery and watch their progress while each reaches milestones in their sobriety, achieve success and ultimately graduate from the program.”

I believe my work in the Turning Point Program does not stop at the Courthouse doors. I believe it is imperative to continue to collaborate with organizations outside of the criminal justice system in order to have a positive impact and reduce the overwhelming addiction issues we have in our Community. In 2018 I was honored to serve as an honorary chair for the Community Health Center’s “Break the Cycle of Addition” luncheon; an honorary starter for the Hope United’s first 5K Race – Run for Recovery and helped distribute the Medals to the successful participants of the ADM Board’s Recovery Challenge.