This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Here's a plain English summary:
Judges who run problem-solving courts (like drug courts or veterans courts) are allowed to talk privately with people involved in a case, even without both sides present. This includes conversations with the person going through the program, their attorney, court staff, treatment team members, and others working on the case.
Normally, judges cannot talk to one side of a case without the other side knowing about it. This rule creates an exception for problem-solving courts because these courts work differently than regular courts. The judge often needs to check in regularly with participants and team members to see how someone is doing in treatment or in following program rules.
This means a judge might talk to a participant's counselor, probation officer, or the participant directly about their progress, without needing to schedule a formal hearing every time. These conversations help the judge make good decisions about how to support the person and keep the program working well.
