A broad-based group of stakeholders representing the criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, and related systems, and the community, guides the planning and administration of the court.

Eligibility criteria address public safety concerns, consider the availability of other alternatives for defendants with mental illness and treatment capacity, and take into account the relationship between mental illness and the defendants’ offenses.

Terms of participation are clear, individualized, the least restrictive necessary to ensure treatment engagement, and minimize the impact on participants’ criminal records and their involvement in the criminal justice system.

Mental health court participants are found legally competent and are provided adequate legal counsel to help them fully understand the program requirements before entry and throughout their participation.

Participants are identified, service plans are developed, and participants are connected to services as quickly as possible.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment information is shared in a way that protects defendants’ confidentiality rights.

Mental health courts connect participants to comprehensive and individualized treatments and supports in the community.

A team of criminal justice and mental health staff administer the court, are supported by regular training and education, and regularly review and revise the court process.

Criminal justice and mental health staff collaboratively monitor adherence to court conditions, adjust treatment plans and court conditions as necessary, and offer individualized and graduated incentives and sanctions to promote treatment engagement.

Mental health courts pursue sustainability by measuring program impact, institutionalizing court processes, securing long-term funding, and building community support.