Drug Testing Center
Drug Court
DWI Court
Mental Health Court
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a person get into Drug Court?
Defendants must be referred for a drug court screening by a prosecuting attorney or ordered by a judge. Once a defendant is found to be eligible to participate in the Drug Court program, the defendant will be added to the Drug Court docket.
Who is eligible to participate in Drug Court?
Defendants who have been referred to Drug Court must be over the age of 18, have one or more felony charges, and be a resident of the county. During the defendant’s drug court screening further information will be gathered from the defendant that will also contribute in determining whether the defendant is eligible or not.
What is expected of participants while participating in the Drug Court program?
Drug Court participants will attend regular court appearances before the Drug Court Commissioner. Participants are also expected to participate in treatment, which includes random drug testing and group and individual counseling. Participants are asked to obtain and maintain employment or be involved in vocational or educational programs. Regular attendance at 12-step meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous is also encouraged.
Is there a fee to participate in Drug Court?
Drug Court participants are expected to pay a fee each month while participating in the program. In Boone County it is $75 a month, and in Callaway County is it $50 a month.
How long does a person participate in Drug Court?
The length of the Drug Court program is determined by each participant’s progress and will be a minimum of one year and no longer than two years.
Who serves on the Drug Court teams?
Boone County and Callaway County each have their own drug court team with the exception of the Drug Court Administrator. Michael Princivalli is the Drug Court Administrator for both Boone County Drug Court and Callaway County Drug Court. Each team includes the Drug Court Commissioner, a representative from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, a representative from the Public Defender’s office, one or more representatives from Probation and Parole, and treatment providers.
How does a person get into Drug Court?
Defendants must be referred for a drug court screening by a prosecuting attorney or ordered by a judge. Once a defendant is found to be eligible to participate in the Drug Court program, the defendant will be added to the Drug Court docket.
Who is eligible to participate in Drug Court?
Defendants who have been referred to Drug Court must be over the age of 18, have one or more felony charges, and be a resident of the county. During the defendant’s drug court screening further information will be gathered from the defendant that will also contribute in determining whether the defendant is eligible or not.
What is expected of participants while participating in the Drug Court program?
Drug Court participants will attend regular court appearances before the Drug Court Commissioner. Participants are also expected to participate in treatment, which includes random drug testing and group and individual counseling. Participants are asked to obtain and maintain employment or be involved in vocational or educational programs. Regular attendance at 12-step meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous is also encouraged.
Is there a fee to participate in Drug Court?
Drug Court participants are expected to pay a fee each month while participating in the program. In Boone County it is $75 a month, and in Callaway County is it $50 a month.
How long does a person participate in Drug Court?
The length of the Drug Court program is determined by each participant’s progress and will be a minimum of one year and no longer than two years.
Who serves on the Drug Court teams?
Boone County and Callaway County each have their own drug court team with the exception of the Drug Court Administrator. Michael Princivalli is the Drug Court Administrator for both Boone County Drug Court and Callaway County Drug Court. Each team includes the Drug Court Commissioner, a representative from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, a representative from the Public Defender’s office, one or more representatives from Probation and Parole, and treatment providers.
What is Mental Health Court?
Mental Health Court is a treatment court program that brings together criminal justice workers and health care providers to provide assistance to qualified defendants in order to address the unique needs and teach them the essential skills for functioning in society without further intervention from the criminal justice system. The purpose of the program is to reduce criminal offenses through appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Whom does it serve?
The Mental health Court program is available to defendants who are residents of Boone County, who are charged with non-violent offense in Boone County, and who have a qualifying Axis I Diagnosis, with or without a co-occurring substance abuse problem.
Whom does the program benefit?
The Mental Health Court program benefits the participants by making available to them a comprehensive treatment program to address their specific needs. The treatment the participants receive helps them improve the quality of their life, and through successful completion of the program they may avoid a criminal record or incarceration. By appropriate intervention and treatment, the program intends to break the cycle of recidivism of the mentally ill as a result of the failure to provide them with needed mental health treatment. The community benefits from the reduced recidivism in the form of lower costs for arrests, court proceedings, and incarceration. Also, Mental Health Court participants receive treatment to help them better function in the community, reducing the risk of crime and increasing the community sense of safety.
Why was the Mental Health Court Created?
The Mental Health Court was created to address the special needs of the mentally ill who become involved in the criminal justice system. It was intended to decriminalize mental illness, while providing needed treatment to enable the mentally ill to better function in the community and avoid recurring involvement with the criminal justice system.
What services does a Mental Health Court participant receive?
A team of individuals from the criminal justice system and the mental health care system work together to design a treatment plan for each participant, and to guide and assist the participant through the plan. The treatment plan can include group and individual mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, support groups, medications, and therapeutic housing. Since a number of individuals work together on the team, the participant is able to access a continuum of care which is designed to meet his or her special needs and which might not otherwise be available.
Who serves on the Mental Health Court Team?
The Mental Health Court Team is made up of the Drug Court Commissioner, the Treatment Court Administrator, a representative from the Prosecutor’s Office, a representative from the Public Defender’s Office, the defendant’s defense attorney, a representative from Probation and Parole, and treatment providers. Other people may participate in team meetings and courts sessions, as appropriate. Advocacy groups and community members are welcome to attend court proceedings and to discuss any concerns they may have with the Treatment Court Administrator.
Who pays for the Mental Health Court?
The Mental Health Court Program was made possible when Boone County voters approved Proposition “L” in 2002. In addition, the court obtained a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Administration to help fund participant expenses for treatment and housing. This grant ran through November 2006. Expenses for treatment are also paid through the participant’s private insurance, Medicaid, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Depending on their income level, some participants may have out-of-pocket expenses. However, this is the exception, not the rule.
What happens if a defendant fails to follow the requirements of the Mental Health Court Program?
The Mental Health Court has a number of options which can be implemented if a defendant fails to follow the requirements of the Mental Health Court program. The options range from a verbal warning, to increased treatment requirements, to termination from the program. A defendant who is terminated from the program is referred back to the regular court for disposition of the charges pending against him or her. Defendants who are already on probation may have their probation revoked and may be required to serve jail or prison time.
When does the Mental Health Court meet?
Mental Health Court sessions every Thursday at 3:30 p.m., in Division XII of the Boone County Courthouse, 705 E. Walnut, Columbia, MO. Court Sessions are open to the public. For further information, please contact:
Clayton VanNurden, Treatment Court Administrator
Telephone: (573) 886-4157
E-mail: clayton.vannurden@courts.mo.gov
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