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An Editorial Opinion of The Luverne Journal

The Second Judicial District Court adjudicates cases for Butler, Lowndes and Crenshaw counties. Presiding judges Nicki McFerrin (Butler County), Adrian Johnson (Lowndes County) and Jon Folmar (Crenshaw County) hand down decisions and work toward justice in cases brought before their bench, but we wonder how many citizens know how many other ways court officials serve their communities.

Each month, Johnson volunteers his time to preside over the district’s Drug Court, a program through which persons convicted of drug-related crimes can work to repay their debt to society while shedding the addiction that ultimately led to the crimes that landed them in jail. On more than one occasion, our reporters have been invited to observe Drug Court proceedings, witnessing first-hand how Johnson and others administer “tough love” seeing that individuals in the program meet every requirement or pay the price for missing the mark while they work towards completing the program and potentially having their charges dismissed and their record expunged.

When Johnson is otherwise committed, McFerrin steps in to preside over the court and often attends even when she is not needed behind the bench. She was there on May 16, when the program celebrated 12 graduates. Like Johnson and Folmar, McFerrin serves as chair of the county’s Children’s Policy Council, guiding the group as it works on combined efforts to support area children. She also personally witnesses the impact of CPC and Drug Court efforts on the individuals they service directly and also on the families counting on the programs to help their loved ones.

Under the direction of Folmar, the courts recently launched a Veteran’s Court initiative. Similar to Drug Court, the program pairs U.S. Military veterans who find themselves running afoul of the law with mentors who can assist them to get back on the “right track.” Just getting started, the initiative is already gaining volunteers and is ready to receive veteran applications.

We hear the comments of some community members who feel that individuals who break the law get what they deserve. However, grace and justice abound in the Second Judicial District, which is working hard to change lives and to break the cycle of poverty, crime and addiction that tears apart local families.

We applaud the court officials who volunteer their time for these efforts. They can surely use more volunteers. We encourage readers to contact their local judge’s office to see how they can help.