A Compassionate Courtroom: District Court Initiative Expands

White County’s court system is taking a step toward transformative justice with the launch of the Smart Justice District Court Initiative. Jaimi Matlock, the newly appointed Court Coordinator for this region, shares her personal journey and passion for change.

Jaimi’s path to this role was unexpected. “I was teaching a soapmaking class to a church group when I met a woman who was in the early stages of starting a nonprofit,” she recalled. “She happened to be looking for someone to help connect individuals to rehabilitation programs. A few days later, she reached out to me—and shortly after, I stepped into a role in case management for 100 Families. It was an unexpected but deeply fulfilling turn in my career that God dropped right in my lap!”

That unexpected opportunity blossomed into a calling. In 2021, Jaimi stepped into leadership of the White County Alternative Sentencing Program—largely, she says, because no one else was willing.

“It didn’t take long to realize how frustrated the court staff were with the lack of effective sentencing options. The recurring theme was a system struggling with recidivism,” she explained. “I’ve always believed that if something’s broken, you either help fix it or stop complaining. That mindset pushed me to become part of the solution—and I’ve been committed to transforming our local justice system ever since.”

Now, as Court Coordinator for the Smart Justice District Court Initiative, Jaimi’s mission is clear: “At its core, my job is to support individuals in addressing the root causes behind their criminal behavior. That can look very different depending on the person, but ultimately, it’s about walking alongside them as they work toward real change.”

Jaimi brings more than just professional experience to the table. She brings empathy forged through lived experience.

“Growing up as a preacher’s daughter, I witnessed firsthand how my father cared for people in crisis,” she said. “Later, my personal journey included a 12-year marriage to someone battling addiction. That experience, along with years of therapy and deep learning around codependency and addiction psychology, gave me a unique perspective on what many of our participants are facing. Coming through that, I now clearly see how God has used every part of my journey to prepare me for this work.”

The goals of the District Court Initiative are ambitious, and Jaimi envisions it as a powerful tool for both immediate and long-term change. She believes that early intervention at the district court level has the potential to lower recidivism rates and ease the financial burden on taxpayers. Looking ahead, she hopes the Smart Justice District Court Inititiative will gain national recognition as a proven strategy for breaking cycles of poverty and addiction.

In the short term, she’s focused on concrete steps. One of her key goals in this role is to partner with an organization willing to help cover driver’s license reinstatement fees for participants.

"Transportation is such a basic need—and it’s incredibly hard to move forward without a license. I want to eliminate that barrier for those who’ve worked so hard to turn things around.”

In a county hit hard by the rise of meth, fentanyl, and xylazine, Jaimi believes recovery is the only way forward. “My greatest hope is to see a growing network of individuals in recovery—those who’ve been through it—spreading hope and encouraging others across Arkansas. There’s so much power in peer-led support.”

She credits a strong foundation of community engagement for the program’s momentum: “White County already has former participants actively engaged in the community, which is a huge asset. We’re building on those existing relationships and successes to create momentum and dialogue around what legal diversion can accomplish. It’s about sharing real stories and showing real results.”

And while data is important, Jaimi says real success will be deeply personal. “For me, success will be when I look at the arraignment docket and no longer see familiar names. That’s when I’ll know we’ve made a lasting difference.”

One story in particular continues to shape Jaimi’s commitment to this work. Years ago, she met a young woman in court who was facing multiple challenges—addiction, homelessness, and domestic violence. After an initial meeting, the woman disappeared, something Jaimi says happens often. But years later, that same woman returned to court, healthy, smiling, and eager to reconnect. She shared that Jaimi had made a meaningful impact in her life. Now, she’s three years sober, reunited with her children, and working toward becoming a certified peer recovery specialist.

It’s stories like that that remind Jaimi why she does this work.

“I truly believe our society has misunderstood justice. We can hold people accountable and still extend grace.”

Looking ahead, Jaimi hopes the community will rally around the initiative—not with handouts, but with opportunities.

“Businesses willing to hire, organizations that can help with fees, and landlords open to renting to those in recovery—these are the kinds of partnerships that make lasting change possible. More than anything, I’d love to see our community embrace people who are working hard to rebuild their lives.”

White County’s Smart Justice Initiative is not just about court reform—it’s about building a compassionate, effective, and hope-filled future for all.