Navigating the Mental Health Maze: A Guide for Court Practitioners

This report from the Council of State Governments Justice Center is intended for court officials working with defendants who have mental illnesses, and  provides a crash course for any and all criminal justice professionals who are interested in better understanding mental illness and the mental health system. It provides guidance on integrating treatment and related supports into the court process, including identifying the treatment needs of court participants, developing treatment plans, contending with the high prevalence of co-occurring disorders, and planning for the transition of participants out of the mental health court program.