JMHCP Grantee (2010) -- Seattle: Mental Health Court

Seattle Municipal Court

Overview

Jurisdiction Level

Municipal

JMHCP Grantee Information

Grant Year

2010

Description

Daily calendar for misdemeanant offenders who are referred by a number of entities with the most frequent agency being Seattle Police Department. The MHC team reviews each day's scheduled cases to identify & link defendants to community based services, where available and appropriate. The dedicated MH Professional (aka Court Liaison) arranges for services, including housing, treatment, etc. & supervises Conditions of Release pending the final disposition of a matter. Specialized MHC probation counselors provide up to 2-yrs of monitored supervision of the conditions of the dispositional order. Reviews are conducted on a regular basis, ranging from weekly to monthly, depending on how stabilized the defendant is with the treatment plan. A range of non-custodial sanctions are used for non-compliance with ordered conditions and jail is used only as the "last resort".