300 likes | 444 Views
Testing The Waters or . . . A Mental Health Court In Marin. Why Would We Do THAT?. Saves Court Time Better Use Of Court Time. How Would That Help?. Increases Offender Accountability Reduces Recidivism & Arrest Increases Court Efficiency
E N D
Why Would We Do THAT? • Saves Court Time • Better Use Of Court Time
How Would That Help? • Increases Offender Accountability • Reduces Recidivism & Arrest • Increases Court Efficiency • Offenders Receive Effective & Informed Court Services • Builds Partnerships Among Stakeholders
Mental Health Clients • Increased Support In The Community • Reduces Time In Jail • Demystifies Court • Reasonable Requirements • Encourages Independence • Help Getting Through It
Judges • Mental Health Expertise At Your Fingertips • Expedites Court Process • Saves Court Costs • Fewer Adversarial Proceedings • Better Outcomes For Participants
Law Enforcement • Reduces Court Appearances • Reduces Calls For Service • Improves Public Safety • Increases Awareness Of Mental Illness • Increases Offender Cooperation With Police
Mental Health • Maintains Continuity Of Care • Includes Mental Health Perspective • Can Increase Client Motivation • Increases Treatment Compliance • Can Assist With Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Probation • Increased Information Sharing • Expedites Investigations • Promotes more effective/reasonable probation orders and supervision.
Prosecution • Increases Offender Accountability • Increases Public Safety • Increases Monitoring of High Risk Offenders
Defense • Reduces Incarceration • Reduces Criminalization Of Mentally Ill • Consistent Services For Clients • Clients Are Acknowledged For Their Achievements
Marin County Jail • Reduces Length Of Stay • Reduces Cost of Medical & Psychiatric Care
Oh Come ON . . . Try It OUT • STAR Program funding continues until 6-30-03. • STAR clients on supervised probation are sometimes arrested for violations of probation. • When these violations occur, we can implement a mental health court experiment within and existing and FUNDED case management team!
How Would This Work? • STAR Probation Violation Arrest • Appear on 1:30 Dept. M In-Custody Arraignment Calendar • Referred To Department J for “OR Motion” • Case Continued to Next Scheduled Mental Health Court Day
Mental Health Court • Prior to session, team meets to review/update cases. • A treatment plan is developed and team members agree to support the plan • Each participant appears before the judge and is made aware of the plan • Follow up court dates are scheduled to support compliance
Can We Do It? • Department “J” Judge Verna Adams has agreed to this experiment and will present this proposal to her colleagues TOMORROW. • The Public Defender has assigned a deputy to appear
Court + STAR = Success • Streamlines and improves PV Process • Provides better information to the court • Prevents disruptions in treatment planning • Reduces confusion especially around LPS and Prop-36 referrals. • ANCHORS treatment plan in court mandates.
Just As A Problem Can Take On A Life Of It’s Own, So Too Can A Solution.
Christine O’Hanlon – Deputy Public Defender Marin County Public Defender’s Office 415-499-7501 Cohanlon@co.marin.ca.us Miles Kramer – Forensic Services Supervisor Marin County Community Mental Health 415-507-2725 Mdkramer@co.marin.ca.us
Insurmountable Obstacles • $$$$$$$$ . . . . There Ain’t NONE! • Calendar CLOG • Working Together Is Complications • Communication Breakdowns • Mental Health Clients DON’T SHOW UP IN COURT!!! • Shouldn’t Someone Else Do This! • Insufficient Support Services In Marin
Mental Health Clients • Coerced Treatment • Court Is My Problem • Too Many Court Appearances • My Meds My Choice
Judges • Calendar Clog • Too Many Court Appearances • Therapeutic Court? How About Therapy?
Law Enforcement • Get Out Of Jail Free? • Why Am I Here?
Probation • These People Aren’t Supervision Material • We’re Overloaded ALREADY! • These Folks Generate TONS of PV’S • NO One Helps US! • These Folks Don’t Follow Through With Treatment
Prosecution • Get Out Of Jail Free? • No Accountability For Offenders
Defense • Mentally Ill People Shouldn’t Go To JAIL • What About Due Process? • What About Confidentiality? • What About Attorney Client Privilege?