The mission of the Madison County Mental Health Court is to assist individuals with mental illness to become and remain law-abiding citizens by helping them access mental health treatment and other support services designed to help clients maintain mental health stability within the community.

What is Mental Health Court

Due to the overrepresentation of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system, mental health courts divert non-violent defendants with mental illness into judicially supervised, community-based treatment programs.  A multidisciplinary team comprised of a Judge, Assistant State’s Attorney, Public Defender liaison, designated probation officers, and treatment providers from community agencies works together to develop treatment plans and supervise individuals who voluntarily agree to the program’s terms and conditions.  Participants appear at regular scheduled status hearings to review compliance with their treatment plans and the program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Chronic major mental health diagnosis (Traumatic brain injury & developmentally delayed are ineligible)
• Pending misdemeanor or probationable felony offense
• Must qualify under additional criteria as stated in the Mental Health Court Treatment Act 730 ILCS 168/20.  Additional offenses excluded: all sex offenses, except prostitution and DUI or any driving offenses
• Victim consent, when appropriate
• Madison County resident, 18 years of age or older
• Must engage in services provided by the court approved treatment providers, Chestnut Health Systems or Centerstone Resources
• For more information regarding the eligibility criteria, please click here

Referral Process

• Defendant or Attorney must file a Motion for Assessment Motion for Assessment – Misdemeanor Only or Motion for Assessment – Felony Only
• Defendant completes assessment, performed by court designated agency to determine eligibility
• Assessment report if reviewed by Assistant State’s Attorney (assigned to MHC) to determine acceptance into the program and which Track, if applicable: Track I-Diversion or Track II-Probation

 Goals of Mental Health Court

• Provide access to psychiatric and therapeutic care
• Improve treatment attendance and medication adherence
• Reduce stigma of criminal record for individuals with mental illness
• Improve the overall quality of life and increase the productivity of defendants
• Reduce the time and costs of incarceration and psychiatric hospitalization
• Reduce police contacts
• Direct defendants with mental illness away from the traditional court system to community based treatment

CONTACT