The Nassau County Mental Health Court program was developed and implemented under the direction of the Fourth Judicial Circuit in 2007. The mission of Mental Health Court is to collaborate with community service providers in order to assist and encourage those with mental health illnesses to obtain treatment services in order to enhance their quality of life. Mental Health Court provides constructive and innovative court supervision to ensure compliance, reduce recidivism and to offer a cost-effective alternative to incarceration. Mental Health Court links offenders who would ordinarily be prison-bound to long-term community-based treatment. The program relies on mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing judicial monitoring to address both the mental health needs of offender and the public safety concerns of the community. The criteria for Mental Health Court is to have an active criminal charge of a misdemeanor or 3
rd or 2
nd degree felony and a mental health diagnosis of bipolar, schizophrenia, or anxiety. Mental Health Court also accepts co-occurring substance abuse disorders.
A full program description can be found in the
Nassau County Mental Health Court Handbook (pdf)
When and Where
Nassau County Mental Health Court is held every other Thursday at 3:00pm at the Nassau County Judicial Annex, located at 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, Florida, 32097. Judge Lester B. Bass presides over the Mental Health Court program. All Mental Health Court proceedings are confidential.