Reno Justice Court creates specialized program for women

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevada News and Views

Reno Justice Court just launched something that could change lives. It’s called HER Court, and it starts this month during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Instead of just punishing women who break the law, this program digs deeper to fix the real problems underneath.

Judge Ryan Katherine Sullivan will lead the court. She’ll work with a team of therapists, case managers, probation officers, and other professionals. Most of the team members are women. The goal is simple: help people turn their lives around instead of watching them make the same mistakes over and over.

How the Program Works

Here’s what makes HER Court different. Women facing misdemeanor charges can join if they meet certain requirements. They need to have PTSD or complex PTSD (C-PTSD) from past trauma. They also need to be assessed as high risk and high need, meaning they’re likely to keep getting in trouble without help.

Once accepted, participants spend 12 to 18 months working on themselves. They get trauma therapy, substance abuse treatment, and practical life skills. The program teaches financial literacy and nutrition. There’s even yoga and meditation to help with stress and healing.

Participants meet regularly with Judge Sullivan and the team. They set goals and work to achieve them. Upon successful completion of the program, their criminal charges may be dismissed or their convictions set aside.

The court expects to help 30 to 40 women in the first year. While it’s designed for women, men can also participate in the gender-inclusive trauma services.

Not Criminal Justice Reform

It’s important to understand what this program is and what it isn’t. HER Court is not about changing laws or reducing penalties across the board. This isn’t the kind of criminal justice reform that lets dangerous people back on the streets.

Instead, this is a targeted intervention for a specific group of offenders. We’re talking about misdemeanor cases, not violent felonies. These are lower-level offenses where the person poses minimal risk to public safety.

Think of it less like going soft on crime and more like being smart about resources. The court system already has tools like drug courts and veterans courts that work the same way. These specialty courts don’t change the underlying laws. They just recognize that some offenders need different approaches to stop their criminal behavior.

Why This Matters

Judge Sullivan explained the thinking behind the program: “Addressing the root of the problem is key. Often substance use is covering or numbing the pain of unaddressed trauma. HER Court takes on these issues directly and aims to stop destructive patterns and decrease recidivism.”

That makes sense when you think about it. Putting someone in jail doesn’t fix why they got there in the first place. If trauma or addiction drives criminal behavior, just punishing the behavior won’t stop it from happening again.

Program Coordinator Emily Ruff put it this way: “We want women in this program to feel seen, understood, and supported in every aspect of their lives. HER court is not just about resolving a criminal case, but ensuring women reclaim their health, independence, and stability. Women face unique barriers, and HER Court is our way of filling that gap and offering meaningful support to women in Northern Nevada.”

A Conservative Case for Support

Conservatives believe in redemption and personal responsibility. We know that people can change when given the right tools and support. This program doesn’t excuse criminal behavior. It requires participants to work hard for over a year, meeting strict requirements and showing real progress.

Think about it from a practical perspective. When people keep cycling through the court system, that costs taxpayers money. Jail isn’t cheap. Court costs add up. If this program stops even half of these women from reoffending, it saves money in the long run.

There’s also a family angle here. Many women in the criminal justice system are mothers. When they get stuck in a cycle of crime and punishment, their kids suffer. Breaking that cycle helps families stay together and raises kids in stable homes. That’s something conservatives have always valued.

Some Questions Remain

Not everyone will agree with every aspect of this approach. Some people have concerns about equal treatment under the law or whether courts should provide social services. Those are legitimate questions worth discussing.

Others wonder if private charities should handle rehabilitation instead of government programs. That’s a fair point too.

Still, therapeutic courts have shown success in reducing repeat offenses in other communities. The data suggests these programs work when done right. And focusing on misdemeanor cases means we’re talking about lower-level offenses, not serious crimes.

What You Can Do

If you support this approach, let your county commissioners know. Stay informed about how the program performs. Ask for transparency and regular updates on success rates.

Consider supporting organizations that help people struggling with trauma and addiction through volunteer work or donations.

And remember, helping people rebuild their lives doesn’t mean ignoring accountability. When we help people fix their lives, everyone benefits. Families grow stronger. Communities become safer. And fewer people end up trapped in the system.

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Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics, successful in campaign work and passionate about liberty.