Washington’s Yakima County Eyes Mental Health Court To Save Expenses, Help Defendants

Circle Connections: Policy & Regulatory Updates Yakima County plans to start a mental health court – similar to the existing drug court – in which defendants get help in stabilizing their lives and, hopefully, avoid future arrests and a return to the county's financially ailing jail and overburdened court system. Successful completion of the program could result in charges being reduced or dropped. Suggested by court administrative consultant Harold Delia, the mental health court idea follows other efforts to reduce costs in the law and justice system. This was reported by the Yakima Herald on January 25, 2013. Contact information: Harold . . .