A Diversion Program for Nonviolent Misdemeanor Defendants In Need of Mental Health Treatment and Community Services
MISSION
The Sarasota County Mental Health Court is a program designed to meet the needs of nonviolent misdemeanor defendants who have mental health issues.
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Mental Health Court is designed to divert qualified cases from the regular criminal court docket to a court environment that will ensure that defendants with mental illness are treated with dignity. Mental Health Court offers the opportunity for treatment by mental health professionals. Treatment is monitored by the court, which protects public safety while at the same time reducing recidivism.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Any person charged with a misdemeanor crime, except DUI, domestic violence or battery, and who has a mental health issue or history of mental illness is eligible to be screened for possible diversion from the regular court system into the Mental Health Court Program.
Referrals may come from arresting officers, jail personnel, prosecutors, defense attorneys, the court, or family members.
Clinical staff at Coastal Behavioral Healthcare screen each individual referred. Prosecutors then review each clinically appropriate defendant and facilitate the transfer of the case to Mental Health Court.
Once approved, the individual is given the option of entering the program. The treatment team then determines the appropriate treatment plan and advises the court.
A defendant’s progress in the program is monitored and, at an appropriate time, the Court can “graduate” the defendant and dismiss the pending charges.
OUR GOALS
By working together, the criminal justice system and mental health treatment providers ensure effective legal services for misdemeanor defendants with mental health issues while finding the most effective and least restrictive treatment options available.
The delivery and progress of mental health services and treatment is monitored, and participations of family members in court decisions affecting treatment and community services is encouraged.
With a goal of reducing recidivism, Sarasota County Mental Health Court diverts non-violent defendants with mental health issues who are charged with misdemeanor crimes into community-based mental health programs.
THE TEAM
The Mental Health Court Program is a collaborative effort between the Court, the office of the State Attorney, the office of the Public Defender, Sarasota County Government, and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
CONTACT US
For more information on Sarasota County Mental Health Court, please call Coastal Behavioral Healthcare at 941-953-0000.
TREATING THE OFFENDER
Approximately 12% of the inmates in the Sarasota County jail take psychotropic medications to control a mental health disorder. Studies indicate that inmates who suffer from mental illnesses serve longer sentences than inmates who do not have these issues.
With Mental Health Court, misdemeanor defendants have the opportunity to be rehabilitated through treatment of their illnesses and education on positive life choices in lieu of incarceration.
Successful treatment reduces the number of mentally ill persons in the county jail and reduces the costs incurred by the taxpayers in caring for these inmates.
Sarasota County
Mental Health Court
(941) 953-0000
Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
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