How mental health courts really work

In this paper we compare four mental health courts in terms of key participant characteristics and processing of clients into and through the court. Characteristics include target offense, diagnosis, demographics, clinical measures, and self-reported behavioral health factors such as illegal substance use and homelessness. Mental health court processes are compared such as length of time from target arrest to mental health court enrollment, time under court supervision, extent of involvement in the court, and court outcomes. In addition, we discuss the role of sanctions in mental health courts such as jail time and warrants for violations. This study includes four mental health courts that vary in eligibility, duration, and participant characteristics, in part due to geographic differences. While it is widely believed that mental health courts are generally for “minor misdemeanor” offenses, this is not the case as is demonstrated with this study. Further discussed in this paper is which mental health court participants show improved behavioral health outcomes such as reduced homelessness and improved self-reported illegal drug use.