Richland County Probate Judge Amy McCulloch speaks at Shandon United Methodist Church’s Lunch and Learn.
Richland County Probate Judge Amy McCulloch spoke August 27 at Shandon United Methodist Church’s Lunch and Learn about the Richland County Mental Health Court, a voluntary court diversion grant program funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Richand County. The Probate Court of Richland County administers the Mental Health Court.
Editor’s note: The following information is from the brochures Judge McCul loch handed out at SUMC’s Lunch and Learn.
The goal of Mental Heath Court is to decrease recurring arrests; to decrease length of jail stay; to increase access, coordination, cooperation, and consistency of mental health and substance abuse services; to increase accountability for the offender; and to address public safety issues.
The Richland County Mental Health Court seeks to address the inappropriate involvement of mentally ill individuals with or without substance abuse in the criminal justice system, charged with misdemeanor or non-violent felony offenses, resulting mainly from untreated symptoms of psychiatric and co-occurring disorders. Treatment is obtained for the individuals through collaboration among the judicial, mental health, and substance abuse systems. Judicial oversight insures follow through.
Those eligible for the Richland County Mental Health Court
• have an identifiable mental illness with or without a co-occurring disorder of substance abuse
• are able to understand the terms and conditions of the court
• committed a misdemeanor or non-violent felony offense
• reside in Richland County
• have no pending cases to prevent completing the program
• sign a release of information
Defendants for referral are identified at the time of arrest, at the bond hearing, or at the trial. Referrals are accepted from the public, law enforcement officials, bond court judges, trial judges, solicitors, attorneys, probation officers, and mental health professionals. Clinical assessments are performed by mental health professionals to identify defendants with mental illnesses.
Upon meeting eligibility criteria and acceptance into Mental Health Court, jurisdiction of the charges is transferred by the court system to Mental Health Court.
The participant agrees to a minimum of three months to a discretionary maximum of 12 months at the discretion of the Mental Health Court, depending on the offense and the individual’s progress. The participant from General Sessions Court agrees to a minimum of 12 months up to a maximum of time equal to the length of sentence imposed.
Intensive case management and supervision is provided to the participant based on an individualized treatment plan developed for that individual. As treatment progresses, the participant will move to more traditional mental health services.
Participants who opt out of the program or who are unsuccessful in completion will be referred back to the original court for adjudication.
Exclusions of the program include
• criminal domestic violence charges
• driving under the influence charges
• lewd act on a minor charges
• fraudulent checks
• victim consent has not been obtained when required by Aministrative Order
• individuals previously convicted of violent offense as defined by statute to include stalking and harrassment
The Mental Health Court Hearings are held Mondays at the Richland County Judicial Center, 1701 Main Street. Contacts are Probate Judge Amy McCulloch, 803-576-1997; Associate Probate Judge and Mental Health Court Judge Jacqueline D. Belton, 803-576- 1965; and Mental Health Coordinator Leslie Allen, 803-576-1964.
Commitment Division
Emergency Commitments
If you have a friend or family member you believe requires immediate treatment for either a mental illness or chemical dependency, you may go to the Columbia Area Mental Health Center (CAMHC), 2715 Colonial Drive Suite 200-B or the Palmetto Health Richland Hospital’s emergency room, if after hours, and request an Emergency Commitment, also known as Detention Order. The CAMHC hours are Monday- Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 898-8888.
Requirements
1. The individual must pose an immediate threat to self or others.
2. If threats were made, the individual must have been witnessed by the petitioner within 24 hours of the Detention Order request.
3. The petitioner must know where the individual is currently located. (This will assist law enforcement in locating and detaining the individual.)
4. It is helpful to know whether the individual has a history of mental illness and/or chemical dependency.
5. It is helpful to know whether the individual is currently taking any medication/s.
6. It is helpful to know whether the individual is having any self-care or self neglect issues, such as not sleeping, not eating, or neglecting hygiene, that suggest the possibility of harm to self.
Based on the information provided to the Mental Health Professional , the Detention Order request may or may not be forwarded to the Probate Court for approval. If approved, the Probate Court will issue a Detention Order, and law enforcement will be dispatched to locate and detain the individual. The individual will be transported to either the CAMHC or the emergency room for examination. If, in the opinion of the mental health professionals, the individual meets the requirements for an emergency commitment, then the individual will be admitted to an appropriate facility.
Non-emergency commitments
If you have a family member of friend you believe requires non-emergency treatment for either a mental illness or chemical dependency, you may go to the Columbia Area Mental Health Center (CAMHC), 2715 Colonial Drive, Suite 200-B and request a Petition for Judicial Admission. Operating hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The phone number is 898-8888.
1. The CAMHC will send the Judicial Petition to the Probate Court.
2. The court will schedule an examination for the person with the alleged mental illness or chemical dependency.
3. You will receive notice from the court of the place, date, and time of the scheduled examination, and as the petitioner, you are required to attend the examination to offer information that will be considered by the examiners.
4. The individual will also receive notice of the examination by both mail and personal service.
5. After the examination, if the individual is found to be a mentally ill or chemically dependent in need of treatment, a hearing will be held by a probate judge. Notice of the hearing will be provided to both the petitioner and the mentally ill/ chemically dependent person.
Non emergency commitments are scheduled in the order in which the petitions are received by the court. Therefore, please allow time for the petition to be processed, before contacting the court. Once a petition has been filed with the court, it is unable to be cancelled.
Future programs at Shandon’s Lunch & Learn
On most fourth Tuesdays during the school year, Shandon United Methodist Church will welcome influential guest leaders to lunch to talk about something they are passionate about. The purpose of Lunch & Learn is expressed in Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” Like John Wesley, the leaders will undoubtedly motivate us to “Do all the good you can…”, as we hear how they deal with life issues and needs.
• September 24: Dr. Rick Bell, past chair USC Dept. Surgery, surgical oncologist (ret.) US Air Force Flight Surgeon in Vietnam, will speak on “The Amazing Polar Bear.”
• October 22: Marybeth Jacoby, news director, News 19, WLTX
• November 26: David Adams, Richland Co. Treasurer, will speak on “All About Property Taxes”
The programs are held in Player Hall at Shandon United Methodist Church. Buffet line opens at 12:20 p.m. Pay in the lobby hall ($5).Guest speak at 12:50 – with talk back 1:15-1:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary by noon the day before (Monday), with Karen Daves kdaves@shandon-umc.org or 256-8383 ext. 113).
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