Early Intervention Courts (EICs) represent a significant shift in how justice systems respond to individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Rather than waiting for cases to progress through traditional adjudication, EICs intervene early, connecting individuals to treatment at the point of highest risk and greatest opportunity for change. This four-part webinar series provides a practical, implementation-focused framework grounded in both science and real-world application.

Each session is grounded in operational realities, legal considerations, and proven practices that can be applied immediately.

Webinar #4 examines the legal and ethical issues that arise in the operation of Opioid Intervention Courts (OICs), particularly during the early intervention and pre-plea phases of participation. Participants will explore due process considerations, confidentiality requirements, information sharing limitations, and the importance of maintaining voluntary participation while protecting participant rights. The session also addresses the ethical responsibilities of judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, treatment providers, and supervision agencies working within a collaborative court model. Designed for multidisciplinary justice professionals, this presentation provides practical guidance on balancing accountability, treatment engagement, public safety, and constitutional protections while implementing and operating an OIC responsibly and effectively.

This Webinar is funded by a Grant from the SAMHSA-funded Opioid Response Network (ORN) .