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 Offenders Receive Effective & Informed Court Services Builds Partnerships Among Stakeholders
How Would That Help ME? Or What’s In It For Me?
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
Great Idea... It’ll NEVER HAPPEN HERE!!!
Oh Come ON... Try It OUT STAR Program funding continues until 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 Miles Kramer – Forensic Services Supervisor Marin County Community Mental Health
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?
Marin County Jail