Mental Health Court Staff

Mental Health - Staff Banner

			Judge: Honorable Doretta Walker The judge presides over the court proceedings and monitors appropriate application of disciplines, consequences and incentives while maintaining the integrity of the court. The judge regularly reviews case status reports detailing each participant’s compliance with the treatment recommendations, drug test results, compliance with the treatment provider, and progress towards abstinence and law-abiding behavior. Because there is only one consistent judge that presides over court appearances, individuals develop a strong rapport with the judge. The judge speaks directly to the individual, asking about their progress, encourages them to try harder, and applauds their accomplishments, while also reminding them of the obligation to remain alcohol and drug-free. The judge also asks about specific issues or difficulties, regarding treatment, attempts to gain employment, housing, and benefits.
			Assistant District Attorney: Michael Wilcox, Esquire The Assistant District Attorney will review all potential participants for eligibility, actively participate in staffing of cases, and interact with the staffing team to address compliance and provide recommendations for consequences and provide an updated court date should the individual not comply with the court recommendation and have to return to regular court.
			Assistant Public Defender: Delaney Garrett, Esquire The Assistant Public Defender will actively participate as defense counsel by advocating for the participant during staffing and court proceedings in a non-adversarial manner. The defense attorney priority is to ensure the individual’s constitutional rights. They are interested in promoting not only the legal rights but also the health and well-being of the individual.
			Mental Health Court Coordinator- C. Renee Shaw LCMHC/LCAS The coordinator is responsible for making clinical treatment recommendations to the court, chairing multidisciplinary teams and as appropriate, will identify and/or provide a continuum of care for participants while advocating on behalf of the client and for the integrity of the court. Other responsibilities include overseeing the Certified Peer Support Specialist, management of the mental health court docket, monitoring the budget, resources, compiling statistical data, participating in program evaluation, organizing and/or soliciting community support through education and other linkages in an effort to enhance services that are available to the participant.
			Case Manager Assistant-Nancy Lloyd CPSS The case manager is responsible for providing community linkages, referrals to appropriate agencies, monitoring the day-to-day activities and the home environment of the participant. Their goal is to empower the individual to achieve their hopes, dreams, and goal. The Certified Peer Support Specialist is an individual who has lived experiences and is able to assist others in their journey towards recovery.
			Community Mental Health Providers The Mental Health Court Team refer individuals to specific programs based on their behavioral and/or medical needs. Staff refer individuals to a provider of their choice located in the community. Community Mental Health/Substance Use providers include individual/group outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient treatment, Office Based Opioid Treatment Programs (OBOT) Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), short-term (30-day) or long- term residential treatment, transitional housing, sober living housing, Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), Community Support Team (CST) crisis care and inpatient care.
			Court Support Staff Court support staff includes courtroom clerk and Durham County Deputies. The Courtroom Clerk prepare files for status hearings, process orders of the court and log orders of the court. A Durham County Deputy provides court security. They are the liaison between the Durham County Detention Center and the court.