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| Members of the mental health court planning team gathered for their first meeting on June 24, 2009. | Felony Mental Health Court
A felony mental health court currently is on the drawing board for Harris County. A large planning team began meeting in June, 2009. Much of the detailed planning is being done in committees, which will present reports when the team meets October 13, 2009. The planning team will meet at the United Way, 50 Waugh Drive. The meeting is open to the public.
Harris County’s criminal district court judges voted in January, 2009, to designate the 184th District Court as a felony mental health court. Judge Jan Krocker, who presides in that court, is heading the planning effort. The 184th District Court is located on the 17th floor of the Criminal Justice Center, 1201 Franklin, Houston, TX 77002. Judge Krocker may be contacted at 713-755-6358.
The planning team includes judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation managers, police officers, district clerks, doctors, social workers, mental health and court administrators, treatment providers, members of support groups, mental health experts, representatives from homeless and veterans organizations, victim advocates, community representatives, family members, consumers, political staff and academicians. Seven members of the planning team visited the Mental Health Court in the Bronx, a peer-to-peer teaching court designated by the Council of State Governments.
Planned as a problem-solving court, the Felony MHC will emphasize public safety, lowering recidivism, and improved quality of life for defendants with mental illness. Because the cost of outpatient mental health treatment is substantially lower than hospitalization or incarceration, the court will lower costs.
Thus far the planning has focused on accepting felons with non-violent offenses who have schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, dementia, and intellectual disabilities. Those accepted into the court will meet frequently with the judge, who will monitor their progress, provide encouragement, and when appropriate, administer sanctions.
It is anticipated that the Felony MH Court will work closely with the STAR Drug Courts and also with a new Veterans Court, also in the planning stage.
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to see other photos of the first planning team meeting. |
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