Mental Health Court

Approximately 12 percent of the inmates in the Sarasota County jail take psychotropic medications to control a mental health disorder. Studies indicate that inmates who suffer from mental illness serve longer sentences than inmates who do not have these issues. To address the problem of jail over-crowding and to provide a therapeutic alternative to incarceration, Mental Health Court was created.

Mental Health Court is a diversion program for non-violent misdemeanor defendants in need of mental health treatment and community services. These individuals' involvement with the legal system is directly related to disabling mental illness. The program is a collaborative effort between the Court, the office of the State Attorney, office of the Public Defender, Sarasota County Government, and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare.

Any person who has a mental health issue or a history of mental illness is eligible to be screened for possible diversion from the regular court system into the Mental Health Court Program.

By working together, the criminal justice system and mental health treatment providers ensure effective legal services for misdemeanor defendants with mental health issues while finding the most effective and least restrictive treatment options available. With Mental Health Court, misdemeanor defendants have the opportunity to be rehabilitated through treatment of their illnesses and education on positive life choices in lieu of incarceration.

Mental Health Court
(941) 953-0000