Stanislaus County Mental Health Court succeeds

When four graduate, it won't be to the jail

By SUSAN HERENDEEN
sherendeen@modbee.com

last updated: September 22, 2008 06:39:50 AM

Rashaud Johnson struggles with a mental illness that makes him worry that other people are talking behind his back, but a lengthy detour through Stanislaus County's Mental Health Court taught him that he can control his anger as long as he understands what people are saying to him.

He is one of the first four people expected to graduate from the problem-solving court that funnels nonviolent offenders toward treatment rather than jail.

His 16-month commitment to a counseling program is far greater than the $500 fine or five-day jail sentence Johnson otherwise would have received for assaulting his adoptive father during an argument over some stolen movies.

When he talks about a punch that led to a fall that broke his father's jaw, his remorse is palpable.

"It was just a mistake," Johnson said.

Johnson, 19, still is surprised that the domestic incident led to prosecution, because his father did not want to press charges. He also sees the incident as a wake-up call, because the criminal charge forced him to get help for a mood disorder Johnson had been too shy to talk about.

"Without the medicine, you're just going to flip out," Johnson said.

Johnson and three others will receive certificates from Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Susan Siefkin on Oct. 2, when the court will hold a ceremony in their honor in the Board of Supervisors chambers in downtown Modesto.

They are the first success stories from a small program that started in April 2007, treats about 15 offenders at a time and has room to grow. The mental court option is not available to anyone who used or even had a deadly weapon at the time of the attack. Defendants must get approval from a team of mental health and legal representatives to participate in the program.

The specialized court, along with similar programs in 43 other California counties, gives leverage to mental health professionals who fear mentally ill people end up behind bars because their psychiatric needs are not being met.

Treatment programs cost less than filling a jail bed with someone whose nuisance crimes are the result of a diagnosable disorder.

So the court, which is funded by a $916,000 grant from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, tries to hold people accountable while dealing with underlying issues, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Years ago, this probably would have been a no-go," said Mike Wilson, coordinator for Mental Health Court with the county's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

From a felony to misdemeanor

Johnson will have a criminal charge on his record even after he completes the program, but the felony assault charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

He will have access to services in the county's mental health system, though he no longer will be obliged to attend group counseling sessions two times a week.

He will still see a psychiatrist.

He will keep working with his father, a pastor who adopted Johnson after the assault and pays him to run errands.

And he will attend classes at Modesto Junior College along with a friend he met at Mental Health Court, Trevor Wilson, who also is expected to graduate early next month.

Like Johnson, Wilson dodged a felony assault charge by joining the program. But Wilson, 26, of Riverbank said there is little truth to charges brought by the mother of his brother's baby, who contends Wilson hit her while they were passengers in a car driven by his mother.

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