Retired Ohio Drug Court Judge Scott VanDerKarr to Join The Koffel Law Firm

Koffel Nesbitt is proud to announce the addition of retired Judge
Scott VanDerKarr to our team.

Retired Columbus Drug Court Judge Scott VanDerKarr has just announced that
he will be resigning from his role as Franklin County Municipal Court
judge. He will be joining Koffel Nesbitt to continue his mission
to reduce drug offenses. With Mr. VanDerKarr’s help, we hope to
break the cycle of drug offense incarcerations.

Mr. VanDerKarr, 58, has long been an advocate of giving drug offense defendants
second chances. While on the bench, he created dockets that help drug
addicts, with the list growing to 200 individuals. He will step down from
his current position to focus on creating more Ohio drug courts and offering
more addiction services to families dealing with drug issues.

When asked about his decision, Mr. VanDerKarr said,

I want to go out and fight the epidemic and try and make a bigger impact.
We’re losing close to 3,000 people a year (to drug overdoses).

At Koffel Nesbitt, we respect and commend Mr. VanDerKarr’s hard
work and look forward to helping him continue his pursuit. We believe
that citizens who suffer drug addiction should be helped before arrest.
Mr. VanDerKarr will preside over our new practice group titled Preventative
Law. We aim to help individuals between the ages of 14-30 and their families.
Mr. VanDerKarr will serve as a treatment coordinator, supporter, and disciplinarian
(if the need arises).

Brad Koffel is excited about working with someone as experienced as Mr.
VanDerKarr. He states,

“I’ve watched VanDerKarr build an evidence-based drug court
program that has proven it can break the cycle of drug addiction. Why
are we waiting for young adults to get arrested for a felony as a pre-condition
to this type of ‘wrap around’ intervention and service? After
losing my nephew and an intern to opiate overdoses, it was time to do
something radically different. We are going to take the drug court program
and bring similar affordable resources to the kitchen tables of families
battling a loved one’s addiction
before they get arrested.”

This is an exciting time for Ohio’s drug courts. Our attorneys at
Koffel Nesbitt look forward to working with Mr. VanDerKarr to break
the cycle of drug related offenses, especially in young adults. If you
or your child is suffering from drug addiction, contact our Columbus drug
crimes attorneys today before it is too late.