Misdemeanor Wellness Court Opens In Westchester

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A new court, dealing with people who have mental illness, will be opened in Westchester County.

Ninth Judicial District Administrative Judge Anne Minihan announced Thursday, the launch of the Westchester Misdemeanor Wellness Court, a specialized court for people charged with misdemeanors in Westchester County who are living with a serious mental illness that affects their day-to-day functioning.

Located in the White Plains City Court, the new court will offer eligible people court-supervised, community-based treatment and service as an alternative to conventional prosecution, addressing participants’ treatment criminogenic needs while balancing the public safety concerns of the community, according to a news release.

Participation in the Westchester Misdemeanor Wellness Court is voluntary, officials said.

Treatment plans will be tailored to each person’s needs, with the court offering a range of services, such as mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, education assistance and job training.

Those who fulfill the court’s treatment and other requirements may have their charges reduced or dismissed.

The new court is a collaborative effort of the Ninth Judicial District, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the county’s Departments of Probation and Community Mental Health, the local defense bar and local service providers, among others.

To be accepted into the program, people must be deemed eligible by the district attorney’s office and the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health, enter a guilty plea — except in rare circumstances — and enter into a participation agreement with the assistance of defense counsel.

Participants are closely monitored and required to appear in court every week for a minimum of six months, directly interacting with the judge and reporting to the court’s care coordinator. Some participants in the program may be assigned peer mentors.

Referrals to the court may be made by any town, village or city court in Westchester County. Referrals may also come from the county’s district attorney’s office, the Department of Community Mental Health, the Department of Probation, the local defense bar and/or local law enforcement.

White Plains City Court Judge Eric Press will serve as the new court’s presiding judge.

Minihan said that, with the launch of the new court, the Ninth Judicial District more forward in finding innovative ways to reduce recidivism while serving the treatment needs of people with serious mental illness.

“Implementing this project will, we hope, help to break the cycle of incarceration and guide participants toward wellness and stability in the community,” she said.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said she was grateful that the courts heeded calls about bringing a mental health court to the county.

It will serve “as a practical and humane alternative for individuals who commit low-level crimes and are in need of treatment and services,” she said.

There are currently 42 mental health courts in operation across the state, including 25 Misdemeanor Mental Health Courts, with more in planning stages.