Harris County, Texas to Start Full-Time Felony Mental Health Court

OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire Social Services On January 7, 2009, district judges in Harris County, Texas approved the creation of a full-time felony mental health court to serve offenders diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. A start date will be set after details about court operations are finalized and funding is secured. State District Judge Jan Krocker will preside over the court. The justices decided that a felony mental health court would be the most successful model, since some research indicates that because misdemeanor sentences are short, generally only a few days or weeks, offenders may . . .