Enhanced Treatment (Mental Health Court)

Purpose of Mental Health Court

  • To connect defendants with comprehensive and individualized mental health treatment services in Lenawee County. This court provides evidence-based practices that lower recidivism by increasing the defendant’s functioning and improving their mental health.
  • Defendants will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team that will assist with improving sobriety, gaining access to community resources,  and helping them understand their mental illness.

Pre-Screen Process & Eligibility 

  • The pre-screen form is used for the Mental Health Court team to have a highlight of the eligibility of the defendant. A pre-screen/referral form must be completed for an individual to be considered for this program; the form can be found online, District Court probation, or at the  Public Defender’s office. 
  • The screened case must be reviewed by the Mental Health Court team before being accepted and the defendant must meet the following  guidelines:
    • Must be a Lenawee County Resident
    • Must be at least 18 years old
    • Must not be a Violent Offender. Per MCL 600.106: "Violent offender" means an individual who is currently charged with, or has been convicted of, an offense involving the death of, or a serious bodily injury to, any individual, whether or not any of these circumstances are an element of the offense, or with criminal sexual conduct in any degree.
    • May currently be on probation; expiration date needs not to be less than 1 year
    • May or may not be engaged in treatment
  • If they are NOT engaged in treatment: They need to receive an assessment as soon as possible to establish eligibility for psychiatric medication, case management, etc. This can be completed at Lenawee CMH. They perform assessments with no appointment necessary from 8:30 AM - 5 PM.
  • If they are engaged in treatment please note that on the pre-screen form including agency name, contact information, case manager/psychiatrist name, diagnosis, and medication. 

Mental Health Court Team members

2A District Court

  • Hon. Jonathan Poer—Judge
  • Probation Department:  Probation officer and Specialty Courts Coordinator
  • Lenawee County Prosecutor 

 Lenawee Community Mental Health (CMH)

  •  Case Manager 
  • Peer Recovery Coach

Ann Arbor Veteran Affairs Healthcare System (VA)

  • Veteran Justice Outreach Worker

Ashley Hanson-Grimes – Defense Attorney  


Probation: 

  • REPORTING: Reporting takes place on WEDNESDAY from 8A-11A or 1P-4P. Starting out, you report every Wednesday but will decrease reporting as you progress through the program (see phase chart). When you report it is expected you will have your folder, journal/planner, and any necessary  paperwork required of your probation (12-step sheets, community service sheet, etc.) YOU are responsible to make sure you are reporting on the correct Wednesday and having the correct paperwork.  *Due to COVID19 - Probation Reporting may be completed via Zoom, please contact the Probation Department for your reporting requirements.
  • FINES/COSTS/RESTITUTION: It is a requirement that you make regular payments on your court-ordered fines/costs/restitution. You will be given a monthly amount to pay when you are put on probation. If you don’t have the means to pay, it is recommended you get with the ET Court case manager to work on finding employment or applying for disability (if appropriate). 
  • DRUG TESTING: You will start drug testing right away on the “color system”.  This testing system is random, so you will need to call 517-759-3334 every morning to see if your color is being called that day. The color for ALL Mental Health Court participants is PINK. For more information please refer to the “Colors Drug Screen” page under the Probation page on this site. 
    • Mental Health Court requires you disclose to drug testing staff PRIOR to your test if you have used any alcohol or controlled substances. Although a positive drug test is a violation, your violation may be lessened should you be honest with the court. 
    • You are subjected to additional testing outside of colors such as oral swabs, in-office urine screens, or PBTs. 
  • HOUSE CHECKS: District Court probation completes house checks throughout probation. The purpose of these checks are for search and seizure checks should probation find any alcohol or illegal drugs or to ensure curfew compliance. You will not be given a “heads up” for your house check. These checks are random and can occur any time or day including weekends.
  • TREATMENT:  Treatment providers include Lenawee CMH, ProMedica Behavioral Health, or Ann Arbor VA. You will need to sign a release of information for any and all providers for communication between the court and treatment.  Remember: While in ET Court, you are expected to abide by all treatment recommendations from your provider. If you are not happy with your treatment, notify your provider as soon as possible to resolve the issue as soon as possible. 
  • PEER/SOBER SUPPORT:  Mental Health Court gives you access to a Recovery Coach with Lenawee CMH. This person is someone who has been in recovery and is here to help you. You also may be ordered to complete 12-step meetings or attend Engagement Groups. If you are uncomfortable with groups, consider discussing individual therapy with your provider. Group therapy helps with connecting you to sober individuals in your life and helps you understand your mental illness. If you are not ordered, it is highly recommended you regularly attend these groups.
  • COMMUNITY SERVICE: All Mental Health Court participants are required to complete an ordered amount of Community Service Work.  Please talk with your PO about approved locations. 
  • KEEPING ORGANIZED AND GOAL-ORIENTED: The goal for Mental Health Court is to complete the program successfully. Success looks like there is benefit from treatment, maintained sobriety, and ultimately that there is no future involvement in the criminal justice system. We can provide you with a planner or journal to help you keep track of your work schedule, appointments, and court dates.  

 At any point in this program if you feel you need extra resources, don’t hesitate to contact your probation officer or treatment provider. 

YOU are in charge of your success! 

Court meetings and hearings

  • ET Court meets every THURSDAY. These are called Court Reviews. Over time, participants may not meet every week as they successfully progress through the program.

    • 2 PM-3 PM: Peer support group with Heather (CMH) in the District Court mini courtroom. 

  • During group, the ET Court team meets to discuss probation reporting of participants, go over pre-screenings, discuss violations, and any miscellaneous information related to the court or team will also be discussed at this time.

    •  3 PM: Participants meet in Courtroom 105 with Judge Poer, Ashley, and the treatment team to discuss everyone’s progress or struggles.  This is also a group-like setting where participants interact with the Judge. The participants are dismissed at the end of this meeting.

* Due to COVID19 - Court Meetings and hearings are conducted via Zoom, you will be notified by your Probation Officer when this changes back to in-person.