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16 J. Experimental Criminology 1 (2020)

handle is hein.journals/jexpcrm16 and id is 1 raw text is: Journal of Experimental Criminology (2020) 16:1-25 https://doi.org/10.1007/si1292-020-09421-2 How do drug courts work? Check for John K. Roman' - Jennifer Yahner2 - Janine Zweig2 Published online: 13 March 2020 O Springer Nature B.V. 2020 Abstract Objectives We report the results of a multilevel structural equation model of the Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation that empirically tests theoretical pathways to desistance from drug use and criminal behavior. Methods First, we consider how to operationalize the theoretical mechanisms through which drug court practices are meant to impact outcomes. A path model is proposed that delineates how drug-court practices change perceptions and attitudes, and how these changes subsequently affect drug use and crime. Proposed mediators include changes in court practices (e.g., court appearances, drug testing, and treatment) and psychological mediators, including perceived risk and reward (deterrence), perceived legitimacy (procedural justice), and motivation to change one's behavior through substance abuse treatment. Results Results suggest that one element of procedural justice, the clients' attitude toward the judge, is the most crucial theoretical mediator on the pathway to desistance from drug use and crime. Conclusions Study limitations and directions for future research are discussed. Keywords Drug court - Mediation - Moderation - Procedural justice Introduction Few crime control programs have been as thoroughly researched as the drug treatment court. Since the first evaluation ofthe original drug court in Miami-Dade, FL (Goldkamp and Weiland 1993), more than one hundred studies with a comparison group have been published in the scholarly press in fields spanning criminology, social work, sociology, public policy, and public health. The general conclusion of this literature is that drug W John K. Roman roman-john@norc.org NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA 2 Urban Institute, Washington, DC, USA 4_ Springer