MMHC Eligibility

Misdemeanor Mental Health Court Eligibility

  • Adult with a verifiable DSM-V Mental Health Diagnosis (age 17+)
  • Arrest in DeKalb County with a pending charge(s)
  • Mental disorder appears to be related to the charge
  • Treatment and/or commitment to treatment
  • Willingness towards voluntary participation
  • Appropriate misdemeanor charge
  • Non-violent criminal history background
  • Commitment to random alcohol and drug screening
  • Housing that is safe, secure, and supportive

The MMHC does not allow extremely violent offenders, defendants who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial, or defendants who are unwilling to adhere to the policies and procedures of MMHC.  Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §15-1-16, codified Standards for Adult Mental Health Courts in Georgia as established by the Council of Accountability Court Judges, defendants charged with murder, armed robbery, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation, or child molestation shall not be eligible for entry into the mental health court division.  Any exceptions for separate court-supervised reentry programs designed to more closely monitor mentally ill offenders returning to the community after having served a term of incarceration are not within the purview of our court.

Participation in MMHC is voluntary and a participant must be willing to engage in mental health treatment on an ongoing basis. A participant must also be willing to sign a release of information for details pertaining to their mental health treatment, substance use, legal status, and history to be shared with the MMHC team.

Felony Charges must all proceed through the new Felony Mental Health Court. Please contact court personnel for more information at 404-371-5880.

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