Defendants will have a chance to complete a court-ordered treatment program instead of serving jail time in a new mental health court recently opened in Staten Island, New York.
The court is designed for defendants who have been indicted for offenses related to a persistent mental health problem, but those charged with DWI, arson, gun possession, sex crimes, homicide, or other extremely violent crimes are not eligible. Defendants must also plead guilty to be eligible. In addition, the district attorney may ask for the crime victim’s input before defendant is considered.
Court programs will provide supervised treatment and access to mental health and social service providers, in addition to services to help defendants avoid future criminal behavior.
The court was developed in response to an overburdened criminal justice system in effort to address the root cause of some criminal behaviors.
View “New Mental Health Court on Staten Island Will Steer Defendants to Treatment” in its entirety.
