Mental Health Court

Mental Health Court is a specialized docket designed to assist participants in establishing independence and stability through individualized treatment plans and regular court appearances.  This structured program utilizes community organizations, in addition to case managers and probation officers, to help an individual become self-sufficient while reducing their risk of recidivism. Mental Health Court has a successful completion rate of 76%.

Participation Criteria:

All participants are required to enter a guilty plea prior to entering Mental Health Court.  Those eligible for judicial release may also be considered for admission.  Participants must be residents of Montgomery County, Ohio, who have been charged with one or more felonies.

To be admitted to Mental Health Court, clients must have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder (bipolar or depressive), Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as diagnosed by a licensed provider and as described in the most current edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

A history of serious or repetitive violence, including domestic violence convictions where physical harm or weapons were involved, will likely exclude a client from Mental Health Court.  Such determination will be left to the discretion of the Mental Health Court Judge.

Graduation Criteria:

To graduate from Mental Health Court, participants must be drug and alcohol-free for six consecutive months, employed or enrolled in school, medication compliant, stabilized in their support services, have fulfilled their financial obligation, and have completed special conditions ordered by the Court.

Schedule:

Mental Health Court is held on Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. at the Courthouse located at 41 N. Perry Street.