Pretrial Assessments & Court-related Services
The mission of Court Services includes minimizing of unnecessary and expensive incarcerations in the county jail by expediting the judicial process and providing the court system with critical and timely information on those individuals incarcerated. Another part of the Court Services mission is to provide defendants who meet established requirements the opportunity to participate in certain programs. These programs are designed to assist them in remaining productive citizens while bringing about an effective disposition of their cases while also promoting public safety.
Services Defined
Court Services is a collection of judicial programs designed to provide pretrial assessments and other court related services to those who have been arrested and are facing incarceration while they process through the court system. Included under Court Services are Pretrial Services, the Forensic Mental Health Court Case Manager, Mental Health Court Case Manager, Drug Court Case Manager and the Veterans Court Case Manager.
Court Services provides through its Pretrial Services division a means to facilitate the use of financial and non-financial release of persons arrested and accused of a crime, ensure their speedy release from custody, minimize failures to appear in court and also minimize the potential danger to the community. Pretrial Services also provides the judiciary with sound information to assist them in making informed decisions on bond at the defendant’s first court appearance. Pretrial Services also include a Mental Health Pretrial Officer which was established to provide early intervention of those individuals charged with criminal offenses, who are either in treatment of mental health issues or suffering from a mental health condition that has been untreated. With this information, the Mental Health Pretrial Officer facilitates a timely diagnosis, develops treatment plans, and ensures follow-up mental health treatment.
Court Services provides case management services through the Forensic Mental Health Specialist to persons with a mental illness who have been adjudicated as “Incompetent to Proceed” or “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity”. Through assessments and establishing service/treatment plans in conjunction with State Treatment Facility Staff, this program assists defendants while helping to reduce costly incarceration and treatment during extended periods of confinement.
Court Services also provides case management services through the Mental Health Court Case Manager who screens defendants for their eligibility for Mental Health Court. The Mental Health Court Case Manager completes assessments and evaluations as well as attends court on those defendants who meet the criteria for the program. The Mental Health Court Case Manager also works closely with other agencies in making appropriate referrals for services.
Court Services also provides case management services through the Drug Court Case Manager who screens prospective defendants arrested on felony drug-related cases for possible entry into the Drug Court Program. The Drug Court Program offers an alternative means by which defendants participating in an outpatient status in program are treated for their addictions and provides them an opportunity to lead drug free lives. This program expedites the judicial process and aids in reducing the amount of time a defendant may spend incarcerated.
Court Services also provides case management services through the Veterans Court Case Manager who screens defendants for their eligibility for the Veterans Court Program. The Veterans Court Case Manager completes assessments and evaluations on defendants as well as attends court on those in the program. The Veterans Court Case Manager works closely with other agencies to determine eligibility for Veterans services and also make appropriate referrals.
