72nd District Court
Mental Health Court Division
Phone: 810-985-2184
Fax: 810-985-2179

The St. Clair County Mental Health Court is a joint initiative between the St. Clair County court system and St. Clair County Community Mental Health. Persons eligible for the program include individuals with a severe mental illness or developmental disability who have committed a criminal offense. Mental Health Court referrals can come from a variety of sources including judges, attorneys, mental health professionals, law enforcement professionals or family members. Click here to download a Mental Health Court Referral Form.

What Happens Once an Individual is accepted to the Mental Health Court?

Once the Mental Health Court team determines that an individual is eligible for the program, the case is transferred to the Mental Health Court docket and the Mental Health Court team develops a set of terms that the individual must follow. These terms vary from participant to participant and are developed based on the individual’s unique circumstances.

How Long Can an Individual Participate in Mental Health Court?

An individual is able to participate in the Mental Health Court program for up to two years. During this time, the court team closely monitors the participant’s progress and imposes sanctions (i.e., community service) or awards incentives (i.e., gift certificates) as appropriate.

Once all of the Mental Health Court terms are followed and the plan is completed successfully, the individual’s court case is resolved, and he or she is diverted from the criminal court system.

What is the Role of Community Mental Health?

The St. Clair County Community Mental Health supports coordinator acts as a liaison between CMH and the court system. The supports coordinator attends all Mental Health Court hearings, keeps in regular contact with the judge and probation officer, provides input to the court regarding treatment progress, and assists participants through the court process.

It is the role of the supports coordinator to monitor treatment progress through regular contact with the participant’s Community Mental Health treatment plan.