How do mental health courts work?

摘要

Mental health courts (MHCs), relative newcomers in the growing field of problem-solving courts, certainly seem like a good idea. Judges with special interest in justice-involved persons with mental illness clear court dockets for sessions focused on this selected group of arrestees, on the theory that treatment will reduce their criminal justice contacts. Using a variety of tools, the judges coach, cajole, and sometimes sanction the arrestees until they consistently engage in treatment, are less symptomatic, and avoid criminal justice contact.