On May 20 at 7 pm, the League of Women Voters of the Edwardsville Area held an informational session via Zoom on alternative justice programs in Madison County. The speaker was Judge Kyle Napp, Presiding Chief Judge of the Criminal Division
Click Here to View the Youtube recording of the Zoom Meeting

Judge Napp helped found the Madison County Child Advocacy Center, and is the presiding judge of the Alternative Drug Court and Mental Health Court. She will also talk about the challenges of working in the criminal justice system during the COVID 19 pandemic.

 In 2003, she worked with former Senator Bill Haine to create the Madison County Child Advocacy Center. The Center allows child victims and those who witness violent crimes to be interviewed in a safe, child friendly setting. The interview is conducted by a forensic interviewer with input from a multi-disciplinary team made up of the police, DCFS and the state’s attorney’s office. Since its inception the CAC has interviewed in excess of 5,000 children.  

 In 2021, Judge Napp was named Presiding Chief Judge of the Criminal Division. She handles a felony trial docket call and is also the presiding judge of the Alternative Drug Court and Mental Health Court. The goal of the alternative courts is to enable persons who have a drug or alcohol addiction or who have been diagnosed with mental health issues, and who have unfortunately come into contact with the criminal justice system, an opportunity to become productive members of society. The participants are offered treatment, counseling, and the development of skills needed to make healthy choices. The end goal is to help these individuals lead law abiding, happy and productive lives and not become another sad statistic.    

Judge Napp is the recipient of the St. Louis Rams, Georgia Frontier Community Quarterback Award; the Wellsprings Mental Health Hero, YWCA Woman of Distinction and NAACP Alton Branch Civic Service Award and the Melvin Dean Naylor Good Samaritan Award.