Mental Health Court/Diversion

Mental Health Diversion

  • Mental health diversion is resolving your charges without you pleading guilty or going to trial.
  • The Crown Attorney decides if you are approved for mental health diversion.
  • You will have to do some up front work to be approved for a mental health diversion.
  • Examples of this upfront work can include but are not limited to:
    • Counselling
    • Referrals to outside programs
    • Seeing a doctor or psychiatrist
  • At the end, if you successfully complete your mental health diversion you will not have a criminal record.

 

What is mental health court?

  • This is a specialized court for those with developmental disabilities, mental health and/or addiction challenges
  • The Judge, Crown Attorney, Duty Counsel and Community Workers support participants to achieve their goals

 

Brampton Courthouse:

  • Mental Health Court – Tuesday/Thursday
  • Approval by a Crown Attorney is required to join this court

 

Milton Courthouse:

  • Milton courthouse supports those on Mental Health Diversion but there is no specific mental health court
  • CMHA court support worker will complete screening/intake
  • If approved for Mental Health Diversion, CMHA court support worker will develop a Mental Health Diversion plan with participants
  • Participants are expected to follow their Mental Health Diversion Plan for approximately 6 months

 

Burlington Courthouse:

  • Community Treatment Court (CTC) – twice a month on Fridays
  • You have to be accepted into the program by the Judge and the Crown Attorney
  • Once accepted, CMHA court support workers create a Recovery Support Plan with participants

 

Kitchener Courthouse (Waterloo Region):

  • Mental Health Court (MHC) – every Tuesday
  • Approval by a Crown Attorney is required to join this court

 

Guelph/Wellington Courthouse:

  • Referrals for the diversion program can come from the Crown Attorney, Defence Attorney or community partners
  • Approval by CMHA-WW court support workers is required to join this court

 

Orangeville Courthouse (Dufferin County):

  • Referrals for the diversion program can come from the Crown Attorney, Defence Attorney or community partners
  • Approval by CMHA-WW court support workers is required to join this court
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