This practicum is designed to help defense attorneys consider common topics and ethical challenges that can arise in treatment courts. The scenarios and sample responses are intended to help defense attorneys develop strategies for responding to clients’ behavior, contested hearings, termination, and other program policy issues, while considering the individual circumstances of each treatment court participant and applicable state law.

Created as a companion to the Reference Guide for Treatment Court Defense Attorneys, the practicum should be used in conjunction with the monograph Critical Issues for Defense Attorneys in Drug Courts, the Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards, and other All Rise publications and resources.

Authors: Jamie Kvistad, J.D., Heidi Rettinghouse, J.D.

Date: 2025