Probate Court
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78.6 % of all Mental Health Court Graduates have successfully avoided a subsequent arrest. |
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Mental Health Court Our Mission |
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CONTACTS |
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| Amy W. McCulloch Richland County Judge of Probate Mental Health Court Judge 803-576-1997 |
Jacqueline D. Belton Associate Judge of Probate Mental Health Court Judge 803-576-1997 |
Nancy M. Moody Associate Judge of Probate Mental Health Court Judge 803-576-1965 |
Leslie Allen Mental Health Court Coordinator mhccoordinator@rcgov.us 803-576-1964 |
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INTRODUCTION |
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Richland County Mental Health Court is a voluntary court diversion grant program originally funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Richland County.
The Probate Court of Richland County administers the Mental Health Court. The Bureau of Justice Assistance approved the grant in May 2003. The
Administrative Order establishing the Richland County Mental Health Court was signed by Jean H Toal,
Chief Justice, SC Supreme Court on June 26, 2003 and modified on
November 21, 2005. The Mental Health Court began accepting referrals from the Magistrate Courts on August 22, 2003 and from General Sessions Court on October 1, 2004. |
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The Richland County Mental Health Court seeks to address the inappropriate involvement of mentally ill individuals with or without substance abuse in the
criminal justice system, charged with misdemeanor and/or non-violent felony offenses, resulting mainly from untreated symptoms of psychiatric and co-occurring
disorders. Treatment is obtained for the individuals through collaboration among the judicial, mental health, and substance abuse systems. Judicial oversight
insures follow through. |
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Defendants for referral are identified at the time of arrest, at the bond hearing, or at the trial. Referrals are accepted from the public, law enforcement,
bond court judges, trial judges, solicitors, attorneys, and mental health professionals. General Sessions referral form. Magistrate referral form. Referral information. Clinical assessments are performed by mental health professionals to identify defendants with mental illness. Upon meeting eligibility criteria and acceptance into Mental Health Court, jurisdiction of the charges is transferred by the court system to Mental Health Court. The transferring court accepts a guilty plea and issues a conditional discharge for the offenses. Successful completion of Mental Health Court will result in a dismissal of the charges. The participant from magistrate court agrees to a minimum of three (3) to a discretionary maximum by the Mental Health Court, depending on the offense and individual progress. The participant from General Sessions court agrees to a minimum of twelve (12) months to a maximum of time equal to the length of sentence or probation imposed. Intensive case management and supervision is provided to the participant based on an individualized treatment plan developed for that individual. As treatment progresses, the participant will move to more traditional mental health services. Participants who opt out of the program or who are unsuccessful in completion will be referred back to the original court for adjudication. |
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Mental Health Court hearings are held on Tuesdays at the Richland County Judicial Center, 1701 Main St, Columbia, S.C. in Courtroom 2-F. Review
hearings can be held at the mental health treatment facilities to reduce the amount of travel for the participant. |
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| A Graduation Ceremony is held several times each year once participants have successfully completed the requirements of Mental Health Court. | |
