Mental Health Court Participant Responsibilities
Participant Responsibilities
- Enter the Program Voluntarily - Before an individual enters the Durham County Mental Health Diversion Program, the assigned attorney will review the Mental Health Court Diversion Program Participation Fact Sheet.
- Attend Regular Court Appearances
- Participate in Mental Health Treatment/Take Medications as Prescribed
- Participate in the Development of a Person-Centered Treatment Plan
- Demonstrate Progress Toward Person-Centered Plan Goals
- Refrain from Engaging in Illegal Activity
- Meet Conditions of Probation (when applicable)
- Must Not Consume Alcohol or Non-Prescribed Controlled Substances
- Must Submit to Random Drug Screenings
Court Process
- All court sessions are confidential. Only the individual, Mental Health Court Diversion Program Team and court staff are in the courtroom.
- At the initial court session, the individual will be welcomed to the program, introduced to everyone on the team and asked if he/she understands the purpose and rules of the program.
- All parties, including the judge, defense attorney, prosecutor, case manager and court coordinator, share a common goal of the participant successfully completing treatment.
- Participant progress is monitored on a regular basis, and there are consequences for non-compliance.
- When the individual has met all requirements of the Mental Health Court Diversion Program and is in full compliance with treatment recommendations, a recovery celebration occurs.
- During the recovery celebration, the participants are allowed to share their experience, a guest speaker shares encouraging words, and light refreshments are served.
Contact Justice Services
Renee Shaw
Mental Health and Substance Use Program Manager