The Muscogee County Mental Health Court is a multi-agency post adjudication program involving the coordinated efforts of the Veterans Treatment Court Judge, District Attorney's Office, Public Defender, Department of Community Supervision, New Horizons Behavioral Health and other local Substance Abuse Treatment Providers.

The Mental Health Court Program is a voluntary program for Veterans 18 years of age or older who are charged with drug-related non-violent crimes.

Mission

The mission of the Muscogee County Mental Health Court Program is to enhance public safety by combining effective substance abuse treatment and intensive judicial supervision in a therapeutic court setting for non-violent substance abusing offenders, in order to assist the participant in choosing and developing a structured, disciplined, law abiding drug free way of life.

Program

The Mental Health Court is a five-phase program lasting a minimum of 18 months. Each participant's program is based on an individual evaluation completed by a licensed clinician working with the court.

Court Schedule

Mental Health Court sessions occur bi-weekly on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Muscogee County Government Center. Occasionally, with prior notice, court may be rescheduled for another day.

Target Population

The target population shall be individuals who are diagnosed as chemically dependent on one or more substances, and who have committed a crime or a combination of crimes (felony, misdemeanor, probation violation) and who have been classified as moderate to high risk and need.

• Must be diagnosed as having a substance abuse disorder as defined by the DSMV, moderate or severe.
• Produce a validated risk assessment higher than low
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Be a resident in the jurisdiction of the court.
• May have a diagnosed mental health disorder, but if so must follow recommendations by a counselor and able to participate in substance abuse treatment as prescribed.
• Be a US citizen

Referral

Anyone can make a referral to the program. This includes the prosecution, the defense, law enforcement, the court or any interested party including the potential participant.

Clincal and Legal Screening

Upon application or referral, a legal screening will be conducted by the drug court team member of the county prosecutor's office to determine if the individual can legally be supervised by the Drug Court. This would typically also involve the arresting agency; however, the ultimate decision for legal screening is to be made by the Assistant District Attorney who sits on the drug court team.

If the applicant is not precluded from participation as a result of the legal screening, the individual will be clinically assessed using an evidence based tool. In addition, criminogenic risk will be assessed in collaboration with probation.

Once the applicant is screened and found appropriate, a plea will be scheduled with the Court. If the applicant is not found appropriate according to the results of the assessment, a notice will be sent out to all parties involved.

Courtroom Protocol

All participants will sit in the open courtroom. The Coordinator announces each case, and participants meet with the Judge for a period of approximately 3-5 minutes to discuss progress or lack of progress in the program.

The Drug Court lab is located on the Ground Floor of the of the Consolidated Government Center tower.