Fulton Celebrates Mental Health Court Graduates

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County Magistrate Court Chief Judge Cassandra Kirk congratulated five of the seven graduates of Misdemeanor Mental Health Court. The ceremony was held Friday, Dec. 21, and the records of the graduates were also expunged after they met all requirements of the court.

Cleared records can prevent difficulties in finding employment and affordable housing for those who have completed the requirements of the court, the county said.

The Misdemeanor Mental Health Court is a collaboration among Magistrate Court, State Court, the Solicitor General’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Behavioral Health, the Clerk of Magistrate Court, and other justice agencies to help participants gain recovery from mental or behavioral health issues.

The program provides enhanced treatment, counseling and monitoring of participants while also reducing the incarcerated population by removing those accused of minor crimes who met the program criteria from the jail.

Misdemeanor Mental Health Court also works with defendants to meaningfully address the factors precipitating their involvement with the justice system. Equipping participants with resources and guidance empowers them to transcend their current circumstances and begin healthy and crime-free lives. In the long-term, both individuals and communities are safer and stronger when defendants can break the cycle of court involvement.

Magistrate Court and State Court held the Dec. 21 ceremony in the Fulton County Justice Center Tower. The first group of graduates was honored in October 2018. For more information, contact Fulton County Magistrate Court at 404-613-9071.

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Photo: Fulton County Magistrate Court Chief Judge Cassandra Kirk speaks to five of the seven graduates of Misdemeanor Mental Health Court. Credit: Fulton County