Mental health court tries to help break the cycle
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - A new mental health court has opened in Snohomish County to help find solutions for people living with mental illness who are caught in the criminal justice system.
The court is designed to solve issues that can't be easily addressed in a traditional court, The Daily Herald reported.
So far, two people have opted into the program. A third person is in the early stages. The program could eventually manage 20 cases.
The pilot project is funded from a portion of a sales tax specifically collected to pay for services for those in the community living with a mental illness and those with substance abuse problems.
These cases would have been in the court system anyway, but are now being diverted to the mental health court in hopes of providing long-term solutions.
Participants likely will be someone "who has gone through the system over and over again," said Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui, who presides over the new court.
The goal is to help people get stable and healthy so they can get out of the cycle, proponents say.
"We're working out what we all need to do to make this a successful program," Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Hal Hupp said.
Hupp will decide whether defendants are legally eligible for the program, by looking at the current charge, as well as any past criminal history. The court generally isn't going to accept anyone charged with a felony and will avoid anyone with a past history of violence.
"We don't want the program to fail because we brought in the wrong person," Hupp said.
Participants who opt into the program must meet certain requirements, such as being engaged in treatment, meeting with court's mental health liaison and following the recommendations of health care providers. The program also requires regular court visits.
The judge, lawyers and a mental health liaison gather before the court hearings to talk about each participant's progress and if there are any additional issues that need to be addressed.
"These cases are expected to be dynamic because we're dealing with people's mental well-being," Bui said.
Participants get much more supervision than if their cases were left on the typical trial track, said Jennifer Bartlett, an attorney with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association.
"There will be more intervention earlier. There's just a lot more supervision and monitoring," she said.
The court will maintain jurisdiction over the cases for two years. If participants fail to meet the requirements, they face being convicted of the charge. If they successfully complete the program, the charge can be dismissed.
"Not only is it humane, but it's the most effective way to deal with this set of the population," Bui said.
The court is designed to solve issues that can't be easily addressed in a traditional court, The Daily Herald reported.
So far, two people have opted into the program. A third person is in the early stages. The program could eventually manage 20 cases.
The pilot project is funded from a portion of a sales tax specifically collected to pay for services for those in the community living with a mental illness and those with substance abuse problems.
These cases would have been in the court system anyway, but are now being diverted to the mental health court in hopes of providing long-term solutions.
Participants likely will be someone "who has gone through the system over and over again," said Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui, who presides over the new court.
The goal is to help people get stable and healthy so they can get out of the cycle, proponents say.
"We're working out what we all need to do to make this a successful program," Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Hal Hupp said.
Hupp will decide whether defendants are legally eligible for the program, by looking at the current charge, as well as any past criminal history. The court generally isn't going to accept anyone charged with a felony and will avoid anyone with a past history of violence.
"We don't want the program to fail because we brought in the wrong person," Hupp said.
Participants who opt into the program must meet certain requirements, such as being engaged in treatment, meeting with court's mental health liaison and following the recommendations of health care providers. The program also requires regular court visits.
The judge, lawyers and a mental health liaison gather before the court hearings to talk about each participant's progress and if there are any additional issues that need to be addressed.
"These cases are expected to be dynamic because we're dealing with people's mental well-being," Bui said.
Participants get much more supervision than if their cases were left on the typical trial track, said Jennifer Bartlett, an attorney with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association.
"There will be more intervention earlier. There's just a lot more supervision and monitoring," she said.
The court will maintain jurisdiction over the cases for two years. If participants fail to meet the requirements, they face being convicted of the charge. If they successfully complete the program, the charge can be dismissed.
"Not only is it humane, but it's the most effective way to deal with this set of the population," Bui said.
Good luck.
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Being able to follow health care advice is one of the huge stumbling blocks for mentally ill people. Many aren't stable enough to keep a job, but not unstable enough to be on disability. Thus, they cannot get insurance in the first place. It's kind of difficult to stay on meds and treatments if one has no money and no care in the first place.
How much does it cost to treat one person? I only ask because i think this is a great program and would love to find a good way to do a fundraiser so more people can be helped.Â
I think this is a fantastic idea, I hope it will be successful so we can see how well it works and if it's positive, we can see more of these mental health courts throughout the state!
 @WAbornnraised courts r after the facts u know? thinking jobs could be somewhat of a cure is probably way out of line?
 @maggie112  @WAbornnraised WAY out of line. From your posts, I'd think you'd know that the mentally ill that are having trouble staying out of crime courts aren't nearly stable enough to hold down a job.
whats wrong with giving these mental health seekers back their meds first ?
 @maggie112 They HAVE their meds, and don't take them for various reasons, not the least of which is completely believing that they don't NEED the meds. You should be able to relate!
Glad someone's come up with a different way of working with mental health cases. Sure hope it works!
 @Commenter87643 This is fine for those who are mentally ill and commit crimes, but what about the vast mentally ill population which does not commit any crimes??? There is a great need for more treatment facilities and options for those who suffer from, e.g., major depressive disorder, or ocd, etc., who need help staying afloat. Not all of the mentally ill commit crimes. And not all of the mentally ill refuse to take their meds. Some take their meds yet still struggle; some are "treatment-resistant" -- they do not respond to any medications. These people need more resources to deal with their illnesses.
 @felines99 I don't know that I'd call it 'the vast majority', but however much it may be true, it doesn't negate the need for THIS service.
 @Commenter87643 I would consider it to be the majority at least; only 3% of the mentally ill are violent. Secondly, I didn't say it negated the need for "THIS' service; I wrote "This is fine for those who are mentally ill and commit crimes . . . ."
Welcome to the 21st Century WA State.Â
This is fantastic. A great investment and a clear demonstration of society's ability to be compassionate and caring for those in need. Good to know that still exists, at least here and there.