Southern California Judicial Reception

Judge Wendy Lindley to Receive Joan Dempsey Klein Award

by Karen M. Goodman, First Vice President

Judge Wendy Lindley

CWL will honor Orange County Superior Court Judge Wendy Lindley as the 2006 Joan Dempsey Klein Award recipient at the CWL Southern California Judicial Reception, to be held on May 19 in Irvine. This award is presented to a distinguished judge who has demonstrated longstanding exemplary service and inspiration to women lawyers in California. Judge Lindley has been an Orange County Judge since 1994, initially serving on the Municipal Court before she was elevated to the Superior Court in 1998. Orange County Women Lawyers (OCWL) nominated Judge Lindley for the award. According to Judy Williams, CWL Affiliate Governor for OCWL, Judge Lindley is an ideal recipient for this award because "she truly cares about the people she deals with every day." Judy describes Judge Lindley’s courtroom as "truly distinct from other courtrooms since the supportive energy is palpable." Judge Lindley’s unpretentious, approachable demeanor has made a substantial difference in Orange County.

Innovative Programs

Judge Lindley has established a number of innovative programs to assist those with drug dependencies and mental health problems, and the homeless community. As a result of her experience, initially as an Assistant District Attorney and later as a judge, Judge Lindley saw firsthand that some defendants cycle repetitively through the criminal system. She observed that mental health and substance abuse issues were significant factors for these individuals and recognized that correctional facilities were ill equipped to meet the challenge of providing this population with adequate treatment. She decided that something radical needed to be done to break the cycle of substance abuse, broken homes and incarceration.

In response to this critical need, Judge Lindley started the Orange County Drug Court and presided over that court for more than 12 years. In 2002, Judge Lindley also founded the Co-Occurring Disorders Court (CODC), a post adjudication alternative for felony drug offenders sentenced under the Substance Abuse Crime Prevention Act (Penal Code 1210.1) who have had problems meeting the requirements of their treatment program and have been diagnosed as chronically and persistently mentally ill. What makes CODC unique is that program requirements and goals are uniquely developed and monitored based upon the progress of the individual participants. The program has already had a tremendous success rate. As of June 2005, there were 220 participants with a 66% retention rate. Participants have shown benefits from the program and improved quality of life, and most are consistently taking medications, testing clean, and following court orders.

Community Court

Judge Lindley also presides over the Community Court, which includes the Central Justice Center Drug Court, the CODC, the Homeless Outreach Court, a new caseload of mental healthrelated criminal cases funded by Proposition 63, and low-level cases involving participants with chronic drug, alcohol and/or mental illness issues. The Outreach Court is convened in a local homeless shelter to resolve infractions, misdemeanor charges and warrants. It is designed to bring the court to the shelters and help the homeless get a fresh start. Under this program, the sentences imposed focus on activities offered by the shelter or the community, including participation in chemical dependency meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, computer and literacy classes, employment training and medical care, both physical and mental. The Community Court is a new approach to public safety, offering participants psychiatric services, housing services and assistance from the Public Law Center and Legal Aid.

Judge Lindley was OCWL 2005 Judge of the Year, and has been previously honored for her community service by the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association, the Mental Health Association of Orange County, the Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, the Monarch Beach Rotary Club, the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County and the House of Ruth.

Judge Lindley told CWL "I am so honored to be recognized by California Women Lawyers. I think the work CWL members do in their local communities is very important." She is an outstanding, innovative, caring and energetic jurist, whose work is a remarkable service to her community. She is a truly deserving recipient of the Joan Dempsey Klein Award.