“For Baltimore high school students, this arts competition offers more than scholarships”

Generally –  not always – this blog focuses on e-discovery.  Today, however, this is a shout out to two programs run by the District Court of Maryland, a State trial court.  One common denominator is the Hon. Halee F. Weinstein.

THE COURT ART PROGRAM

Wesley Case, wrote Arts competition more than scholarships for Baltimore students – The Baltimore Banner (Jul. 22, 2025).  The article states:

The Eastside District Court Building on North Avenue looks like any other municipal building on first glance: worn wooden benches, speckled floor tile and taped-up signage that reads, “Please wait to be called.”

But a closer scan of the Baltimore courthouse reveals unexpected bursts of color amid finely detailed drawings and paintings. The works — ranging from realistic portraits to stylized still lifes — add vibrancy and liveliness to the eggshell-colored walls.

Remarkably, they were all made by Baltimore City Public School students, many of whom gathered at the courthouse on a recent overcast evening for an emotional awards reception. Now in its ninth year, Courting Art Baltimore gives scholarships to high school students while providing a public platform for their impressive artistic abilities.

The “Court Art” program awarded $20,500 in scholarships to seven winners this year.  More than 130 art works are displayed in the courthouse.  Id.

And, the Banner notes:

Retired judge Halee Weinstein started the competition in Baltimore after first encountering it in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Her goal was to “change the narrative” around city students.

The Baltimore Banner article explains: “This story is published as part of the Baltimore News Collaborative, a project exploring the challenges and successes experienced by young people in Baltimore. The collaborative is supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. News members of the collaborative retain full editorial control.”

To donate to the program, Donate Now | Arts Every Day.

That is not all that Judge Weinstein has done.

THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURT

Maryland has established a “Veterans Treatment Court.”

Veterans’ courts provide services to those who served in the military and suffer from conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, other mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders. Veterans can resolve outstanding criminal offenses, obtain the treatment and services they need, and stabilize their lives. A veteran’s court connects eligible participants to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, long-term supportive housing, and other benefits for participants whose service-related disabilities prevent their return to the workforce. The veterans court can also access local resources where the veteran does not qualify for VA benefits.

Id.  As of last year, the court has expanded from Baltimore City to address central regional counties.  New Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court launches to expand services to veterans | Maryland Courts (Nov. 12, 2024).  The court’s website states:

The District Court in Baltimore City celebrated six veterans who recently completed the program, which was founded in 2015 and is presided by U.S. Army Veteran and Senior District Court Judge Halee F. Weinstein….

“Judge Weinstein and her team have done a tremendous job over the years, and I commend them for their efforts to bring the Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court to fruition to increase access to justice for military veterans,” said Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, District Court of Maryland.

The court explains:

Eligible veterans who have court cases will be referred to the program by the District Court in each county. The criteria for eligible participants include being a U.S. military veteran regardless of eligibility for VA benefits and being a defendant charged with misdemeanor offenses or concurrent jurisdiction felonies in the District Court.

In addition to the Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Problem-Solving Courts, VTC project partners include the United Way of Central Maryland; the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; Warrior Canine Connection; the State’s Attorney’s Offices for Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties; the District Offices of the Public Defender in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties; the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation; the University of Baltimore School of Law; and several other federal, state, and local service providers.

“It has been a great privilege to serve our veterans through the Veterans Treatment Court program,” said Franklyn Baker, President and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland. “United Way of Central Maryland is committed to help in the fight for those who have fought for our country with the launch of a regional program modeled after the successful Baltimore City program. The Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court will provide physical and mental health services, employment, financial counseling, and more to help veterans navigating the District Court system in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County. This program supports veterans with a goal of returning productive, law-abiding citizens to the community and reducing recidivism and criminal justice costs.”

I have seen the Veterans Treatment Court in action.  It is impressive.

As one of Maryland’s “problem solving courts,” its goal is rehabilitative.  As an Army veteran, I have to say “thanks” to Judge Weinstein and the Maryland courts.