by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Joe Stelma’s current title is Chief Deputy Court Administrator for Drug Courts in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, but a more succinct title may be “Professional Civic Servant.” Stelma served eight years in the Navy, the majority of his career with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and continues to serve the city’s drug courts.
“There’s a time in life that God decides, before you are even created, who you are,” said Stelma. “You may or may not choose or accept it.”
When Stelma lost the election for sheriff to Nat Glover in 1994, he transferred to the Duval County Courthouse as Head of Security. Chief Judge Don Moran asked if he would be interested in coming over as Drug Court Coordinator, and he jumped at the opportunity.
“There are so many wonderful people who have taught me a lot about police work and supervision,” said Stelma, whose retirement from the JSO lasted for just two days.
Stelma says he had to learn a system different from the sheriff’s office. He was used to putting drug offenders behind bars, but now he was dealing with them and their effects on society.
As much as anything, Stelma said he had to learn that alcohol and drug addictions are diseases.
“I learned how much real destruction there truly is. It’s a serious epidemic in our community, in the U.S. and the world. It doesn’t look at gender, age or money. It takes anyone as a victim,” he said.
Stelma says he’s very proud of the people that he has worked with, especially since being involved with drug courts where so many people are affected and so many others have put in time. City Council Finance chair Daniel Davis’ first job was as a case manager for the drug court and City Council member Sharon Copeland did her internship with the drug court.
“She was with us in helping with juvenile drug addictions,” said Stelma. “I’m proud of those people in the community recognizing that these are severe issues that affect all of us.”
Drug Courts in Florida started in Miami. In 1994, Jacksonville was the third city in the state to have Adult Drug Court which was started through the collaboration of the chief judge, state attorney, public defender, mayor and sheriff. In 1997, through the same collaboration, Jacksonville’s Juvenile Drug Court began and in 2003 Dependency Drug Court was instituted.
In drug courts, the judge becomes somewhat like a parental figure.
“He or she is more of a person looking at what you’re doing to get back on track,” said Stelma. “The whole system opens bed space in jails and prison for violent offenders.”
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the United States Bureau of Justice Programs Office chose Jacksonville’s Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts to be a National Mentor Court. There are only a few in the nation with that designation.
The Drug Court offices are relocating to the second floor, from the third floor. The move allows for six additional offices for the same price — and these offices have to last until 2009, at which time the new County Courthouse should be completed. Among other things, Stelma has been working with City officials on the new courthouse.