Josephine County Circuit Court Mental Health Court was created in February 2009 with the mission of giving individuals with mental health challenges an opportunity to address those challenges as well as any misdemeanor or felony charges/convictions in a structured environment. Defendants participate in court ordered treatment plans and successful participation may result in dismissed charges, early case closure or reduced sentencing.
The Josephine County Mental Health Court represents an effort to increase effective cooperation between the mental health treatment system and the criminal justice system. Individuals considered for this program have a mental illness and are at risk of incarceration due to committing a misdemeanor or low level felony crime.
Elements of this program include:
- Treatment and probation communication with the Court and Team
- Judicial supervision of structured community-based treatment
- Periodic drug testing
- Increased defendant accountability through a series of graduated sanctions and rewards