Bergen Vicinage to Hold Recovery Court Graduation

The Bergen Vicinage will hold its recovery court graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m. in room 426 of the Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main St., Hackensack. 

Nine participants who have maintained recovery from drugs and alcohol will be honored at the event, the program’s 21st ceremony.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Steinhart, the vicinage’s recovery court judge, will preside. Retired Assignment Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol will give the keynote address.  The ceremony will acknowledge the accomplishments of the graduates, who will be given the opportunity to speak. Families, friends, and loved ones will be able to support their graduate. Current recovery court participants will participate either in person or virtually. 

“It is not often that the courts are able to celebrate the achievements of litigants. I am proud of the graduates and look forward to participating in their celebration,” Judge Steinhart said. 

The Judiciary’s recovery court program operates within the Superior Court to address nonviolent drug-addicted offenders. The program requires completion of several phases of intensive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. This level of supervision permits the program to support the recovery process and allows the recovery court team to react quickly to impose appropriate therapeutic sanctions or to reinstate criminal proceedings when participants do not comply. 

The vicinage’s recovery court program has 158 participants. Recovery court participants are expected to comply with all treatment recommendations, attend support meetings, gain employment, and pay fines.