Mental Health Treatment Court

Who We Are

Milwaukee County Mental Health Treatment Court program is a voluntary program designed to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of those who suffer from serious mental illness (SMI) and severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). We do this by connecting participants with evidence-based mental health treatment and supportive services in the community, and finding appropriate dispositions to the criminal charges with consideration of the participant’s mental illness and the seriousness of the offense.

The Milwaukee County Mental Health Treatment Court provides structure and accountability to the service delivery of treatment, medication management, social support services and criminal justice services.

Goals

• Increase community-based stabilization and reduce recidivism among individuals living with SMI and SPMI.
• Provide an effective and accountable evidence-based community alternative to incarceration.
• Improve public safety.
• Serve victims of crimes committed by those who suffer from SMI or SPMI
• Effectively manage scarce criminal justice system resources.

Eligibility

• Participant must be at least 17 years of age
• Must reside in Milwaukee County during participation in MHTC, unless otherwise approved by the Court on a case by case basis
• Must be legally competent to proceed at the time of the referral
• Participant has been diagnosed with a SMI or SPMI by the MHTC psychiatrist, BHD, or any other qualified professional
• MHTC agrees to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR), or current edition.  At a minimum, participants will meet SMI criteria; however, many participants will meet SPMI criteria, including Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (recurrent), PTSD, Psychosis NOS or Schizoaffective disorder. 
• The SMI or SPMI must be the primary diagnosis.
• Participant is likely to benefit from treatment in a community based setting and has some insight into personal involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Participant agrees to sign all releases of information, as requested.
• Participant agrees to comply with the MHTC contract.

SMI or SPMI diagnosis we accept include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder (recurrent), post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis not otherwise specified.

Contact Us

Paulita Payton-Murphy | Mental Health Treatment Court Coordinator

Phone: (414) 278-5395

Email: [email protected]