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Kansas City Municipal Mental Health Court . Hon. John B. Williams, Judge Kansas City Municipal Court. Kansas City’s Mental Health Court Brief History…. 2001: Appointed Commission Designed with municipal and circuit courts Initial Study of jail inmates at MCI. History Continued.
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Kansas City Municipal Mental Health Court Hon. John B. Williams, Judge Kansas City Municipal Court
Kansas City’s Mental Health CourtBrief History… 2001: Appointed Commission • Designed with municipal and circuit courts • Initial Study of jail inmates at MCI
History Continued 2002: Operations began with support from COMBAT and Mental Health Levy. • Monitoring • Defense: Legal Aid • External Evaluation
How It Works • Problem-Solving Courts: Conference of Chief Justices • Voluntary • Diversion Program: Community-Based • Pre-Adjudication, Pre-Trial, Pre-Plea • Case dismissed if client completes program
How It Works • Offense; Case Filed • Detected as potential for Mental Health Court from many sources. • KCMO Police Dept • Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) • Judge, Prosecutor • Victim / Witness • Case Worker • Attorney
How It Works • Legal Aid attorney may be assigned • Program explained same day • Determination of Eligibility: Prior criminal history, severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) • Evaluation or plea • Monthly court visits • Monitoring treatment and compliance • Minimum 6 months, average 11 months
Mental Health Court Outcomes • Nearly 2000 clients referred since 2002; about 1,200 entered. • 380 graduated; • 150 are currently active • Most clients have about 3 pending charges
The Future of Mental Health Court • Integrate new treatment and changes at MCI • Build on City-County collaboration and share expertise. • Higher risk clients