News Item
Mayor Coleman Declares Honorable Joanne M. Smith Day In St. Paul

Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2015

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Recognizing her 31 years of service as a Ramsey County District Court judge, and her legacy as a drug and problem-solving court pioneer, St. Paul Mayor Chris  Coleman today proclaimed Thursday, October 1, 2015, as Honorable Joanne M. Smith Day in the City of Saint Paul. Judge Smith recently announced her retirement, and her last day on the bench is Friday, October 2.
 
“Judge Smith has consistently displayed an unparalleled commitment to improving the quality of justice for residents throughout Ramsey County,” reads the proclamation signed by Mayor Coleman. “Judge Smith’s passion for justice is matched only by her outstanding judicial temperament and her dedication to public service in this community for the last thirty-six years.”
 
Mayor Coleman presented the proclamation at a retirement celebration at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown St. Paul. The event included remarks from several of Judge Smith’s colleagues, including Second Judicial District Chief Judge Teresa Warner, Second Judicial District Judge Judith Tilsen, and Tenth Judicial District Judge Robert Rancourt, who is also a board member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi also spoke at the event.
 
The event recognized Judge Smith’s legacy as a pioneer and innovator in the area of drug and problem-solving court programs. Judge Smith started the Ramsey County Juvenile Drug Court in July 2001 and the Ramsey County Adult Drug Court in October 2002. Under her leadership, the Ramsey County Adult Substance Abuse Court was twice selected as one of ten Mentor Courts in the United States, providing training, technical assistance, and research to other drug court programs across the nation (both in 2010 and 2013).
 
Judge Smith was inducted into the Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame in 2012, which recognized her expertise and leadership nationally. It is considered the highest honor bestowed upon people who work in the drug court field.
 
Judge Smith started the Ramsey County District Court Initiative on Chemical Dependency in 1998 and chaired the Minnesota Supreme Court Chemical Dependency Taskforce from 2005-2007. She also was a long-standing member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Drug Court Initiative (DCI), which helped develop and implement Drug Court policy in the State.
 
Judge Smith became a district court judge in November of 1983. In addition to her regular judicial duties and her drug court work, Judge Smith also served for years as the Chief Judge of the Minnesota Supreme Court Civil Commitment Appeal Panel. She served as the Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District from 1989-1992, making her the first female chief judge in the state of Minnesota.
 
“Judge Smith is a brilliant jurist, a remarkable leader, an influential trailblazer, a creative innovator, and, above all, a passionate public servant,” said Second Judicial District Chief Judge Teresa Warner. “She has left a lasting legacy for her colleagues here in Ramsey County and across the state, and helped shape how our national justice system addresses criminal defendants facing addiction and substance abuse issues. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside her, and for everything she has contributed to our community and Minnesota’s judiciary.”
 
Before becoming a district court judge, Judge Smith served as an assistant public defender in Ramsey County. Today, she serves on the board of directors of many community and legal organizations, is an adjunct professor at Hamline University School of Law, and is a trainer with National Drug Court Institute.
 
About the Ramsey County Adult Substance Abuse Court
Ramsey County Substance Abuse Court’s mission is to enhance public safety by reducing criminal activity and assist substance abusers to become drug/alcohol free, productive, and law-abiding citizens. The program is designed to provide individuals the opportunity to improve their lives and break the cycle of substance abuse. The Court uses assessment, treatment (chemical and mental health), strict supervision, random drug and breath testing, regular court hearings, and immediate sanctions and incentives to help participants maintain a drug-free lifestyle. The program represents a closer working relationship between criminal justice partners (judge, prosecutor, defense attorneys, case managers, and treatment providers) than is traditionally seen in criminal courts. ASAC serves approximately 55 participants on any given day.

Photos below: Judge Joanne Smith hugging a Drug Court gradute (left), St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman speaking to the audience at the retirement celebration of Judge Joanne Smith (right).

Judge Joanne Smith hugging a Drug Court graduateMayor Chris Coleman speaking at recognition ceremony for Judge Joanne Smith