Collaborative Courts
Collaborative Courts Overview
The Collaborative Courts work with individuals and families in the criminal justice, and child welfare systems that have been met with the challenge of substance abuse, mental illness and other social welfare issues.
Clients are supervised by judicial officers who oversee the client treatment progress through regular court hearings, which includes the use of incentives and sanctions. It is vital that this community collaborative creates access to substance abuse and mental health treatment along with a myriad of additional agencies that provide academic and vocational programming, social services for offenders and their families, housing resources, and other resources needed for a successful reentry into the community.
The goal of the Collaborative Courts is to improve client outcomes, reduce recidivism and improve public safety.
Click on the Collaborative Courts topics below for more information.
The Behavior Court model bridges the chasm between the mental health and criminal justice systems.
Calendar
Courtroom 3 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m.
The Drug Treatment Court Model combines intense judicial supervision, comprehensive substance abuse treatment (including detoxification), random and frequent drug testing, incentives and sanctions, clinical case management, and ancillary services.
Calendar
Courtroom 3 Fridays at 10:00 a.m.
The Homeless Court Program seeks to provide individuals experiencing homelessness access to justice, and address the legal barriers that prevent them from achieving self-sufficiency, while addressing the underlying cause(s) of their homelessness.
Prior to being seen at the Homeless Court Program participants work with homeless supportive services organizations to identify goals to overcome the causes of their homelessness, and are therefore in a stronger position to successfully comply with court orders.
The Homeless Court Program combines a progressive plea bargain system, alternative sentencing structure, assurances of no custody, and proof of program activities to address criminal offenses.
The Homeless Court Program is designed for efficiency; the majority of cases are heard and resolved in one hearing.
Calendar
Last Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m.
Location
Hoffmeister Center - Central Presbyterian Church 920 Canal Street Merced, CA 95340
Contact
Homeless Court Navigator - Worknet (209) 724-2100
Forms and Information
The Veterans Treatment Court model is an alternative sentencing program which requires regular court appearances, as well as mandatory attendance at treatment sessions and frequent and random testing for substance use.
Calendar
3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m.