Mental health dockets

The court implements a specialized docket that ensures the judge and others in the court are aware of an individual’s mental health needs prior to the trial or hearing.

For more information on this intervention, see this resource:

• The Essential Elements of Mental Health Dockets in Virginia

Local Examples

Norfolk, VA Norfolk General District Court

• The mental health court docket, operated through the Norfolk General District Court, is scheduled on a weekly basis and accepts people with misdemeanor or pre-trial felony charges who have a serious mental illness that contributed to the arrest.
• The docket is organized around participants' charges and compliance.
• Upon successful completion of the program, charges are dismissed, pled down, or result in time served.

For more information on this example, see this resource:

• The Essential Elements of Mental Health Dockets in Virginia ("Virginia Mental Health Docket Matrix")