Assignment:
The mental health courts have been criticized because they do not offer equal justice for all. Opponents argue that defendants and their legal representatives may be unaware of the mental health court option. Like the drug court, the mental health court is focused on treatment and not punishment. The state has the option to drop the charges against an individual upon successful completion of an individualized program. Now, pretend you are a court administrator. The clerk of the circuit court is interested in the mental health court program and asks you to develop a plan to introduce the program to the circuit judges. Be sure to address the following issues: Describe the benefits of the mental health court program and how you could improve the program to ensure there is equal justice for all based on current research in the field.
1. Evaluate the success of the mental health court program.
2. Provide data from the mental health court program in your county/state.
3. Identify the recidivism rate of individuals who are considered as mentally ill who attended and concluded the program, and then compare to the data of inmates considered as mentally ill and are housed in jails.
4. Identify the ethical theory that justifies the mental health court.
Length: 7 pages excluding reference page
References: Include a minimum of fifteen scholarly resources.