Municipal Court Resources

Overview

The Las Vegas Municipal Court Mental Health Court is designed to help people with mental illness who are struggling to stay out of the criminal justice system. To qualify for the program participants must be diagnosed with a mental illness such as, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. 

Participants may receive targeted case management, medication stabilization, mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling and residential placement. Defendants are excluded from the program if they are sex or arson offenders, drug traffickers, active gang members or have a criminal record involving weapons. To participate complete the Mental Health Court Application and Agreement and send to kbanto@lasvegasnevada.gov and sstern@lasvegasnevada.gov.

Overview

Women in Need of Change, or WIN Court, is the opportunity for chronic women offenders to invest in themselves and their future. WIN Court is a trauma-responsive court that addresses the behaviors of chronic women offenders arrested in the city of Las Vegas. WIN Court focuses on the individual’s core issues in relationship to trauma and co-occurring mental health behaviors. These traumas contribute to their choices of substance abuse, criminal activity and recidivism. The program offers each individual woman a toolbox to address past traumas in order to move forward to a future of exciting new choices. In a safe environment, the program builds on trust and respect to be able to identify the trauma, employ strategies to normalize the symptoms and manage the related triggers and their reactions. WIN Court addresses chronic women offenders who have amassed misdemeanor offenses within the jurisdiction of the city of Las Vegas change their lives. The participants volunteer to enter into an 18-month to 24-month commitment. The basic requirements may include:

• Suspended jail time for the duration of the program. During this time-period, the participants must stay out of trouble;
• Actively participate in an in-patient or intensive out-patient treatment program(s) to identify the underlying issues of their maladaptive criminal behavior and/or substance abuse by addressing  past trauma and/or co-occurring mental health behaviors;
• Maintain drug and alcohol free throughout the program;
• Attend community recovery programs and/or 12-step meetings on a regular basis;
• Participate in counseling (group, individual and/or family) and classes to address areas of trauma, PTSD, physical  and/or sexual abuse, parenting, self-esteem, empowerment and life skills;
• Complete GED preparation and testing and/or attend college  courses;
• Complete vocational training and secure employment;
• Should they fail to fulfill the requirements of the program, the suspended jail sentence is imposed and they are remanded into custody.

The WIN Court program is dedicated to the treatment and recovery of each participant; assisting with developing a transition plan to set them on a journey of a new life and provide the foundation for a successful future filled with possibilities. WIN Court focuses on teaching balance, resilience and empowerment. They complete an intensive supervised program where they work hard to embrace healthy and productive lifestyles through education, substance abuse treatment, mental health and/or individual therapy, vocational training, financial and life skills.   The women do the tough introspective work and commit themselves to their recovery. They learn parenting and communication skills in order to reunite with their children and estranged families. The woman are empowered through effective coping skills, self-esteem, confidence, dignity and communication skills.  At graduation, they are hopeful and ready to embark into a life of recovery, independence and success. For more information call 702-38-COURT.

Overview

The Las Vegas Municipal Court offers the Habitual Offender Prevention & Education (HOPE) Court. It is an alternative approach to sentencing that offers repeat offenders structured programs to try to help them rebuild their lives. The court has been featured in the local media because of its success. The target goal of HOPE Court is to decrease instances of criminal activity committed by an increasing large group of offenders who repeatedly consume large dollar amounts of city resources because they repeatedly end up back on the streets—loitering; being picked up again and again by police officers; back in city jail; back in court; and back in front of the judge. HOPE Court clients are indigent; they are not able to self-pay.

The HOPE Court judge recognizes that high-risk offenders, who may also have co-occurring disorders, or who have failed in drug abuse treatment, fare better in HOPE Court when they are required to attend frequent status checks. Under Judge Bert Brown’s close courtroom supervision, offenders move from the streets to sober living. The program's success is based upon Judge Brown’s zero judicial tolerance, coupled with rehabilitation programs and alternative sentencing.

Overview

The mission of the DUI Court is to increase public safety in our community by creating lasting changes in the unlawful behaviors of offenders by providing meaningful substance abuse treatment in a constitutional manner, thereby reducing the harm they pose to themselves, their families and the community.

Mission Statement

To successfully rehabilitate veterans by creative and alternative sentencing through the criminal justice systems, providing veterans with the tools they need in order to lead a life as productive and law-abiding citizens.

Overview

The focus for this specialty drug court is on those defendants between the ages of 18 and 24, young offenders (YO), and requires family support and participation. The program was launched in July 2010 and follows an intensive supervision drug court model with a focus on family treatment. This team has found a formula that is successful with the drug court defendants, especially with young offenders. YO Court mandates frequent court status checks, substance abuse treatment, community service activities, random drug testing, life skill classes, homework assignments and family involvement.

YO Court comprises a team of specialists, treatment providers, attorneys, house arrest officers and other community providers who work with the defendants to obtain and maintain sobriety. Over the course of the one-year program, defendants must demonstrate responsibility for their drug and alcohol problems and negative life choices.

Initially the defendants appear before Municipal Court Judge Cedric Kerns weekly. The program utilizes incentives and sanctions to encourage behavioral change. Judge Kerns and the YO Court team look at each individual’s progress through the program and develops a treatment plan to address the barriers of each participant. This program has built a strong relationship with community partners and referrals are given to the appropriate community partner and to address the need of the individual defendant. To learn more about Yo Court please view this video.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 months suspended jail time
• Must be 18-years-old or older
• Participants must agree to participate in the program for 18 to 24 months
• Participants must comply with all the parameters outlined in the Mental Health Court Agreement and complete an application
• Primary diagnosis must be a serious mental illness, not substance abuse
• Nevada Revised Statutes 4.3713 & 5.0503 

Admission Criteria

• Up to two-year commitment to the program (Generally 16 to 18 months for completion)
• Assessed as “High Risk – High Need” (Persons in need of more intensive court supervision and higher levels of care)
• Substance Dependence Disorder (Substance use that is likely to cause new arrests)
• Multiple arrests (which may be indicated by 25 arrests or more) or special circumstances approved by Judge Bert Brown
• Two or more separate charges/events in Pre-Trial status (pre-conviction)
• Unstable housing (homeless, or inability to maintain a permanent residence)
• Unstable income (Significant history of unemployment, lack of income, employment skills, persons with limited physical disabilities, chronic pain and / or indigence)
• Must be at least 18 years old and reside in Clark County
• Voluntary admission

Eligibility

Any individual who has served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and is currently charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense before the Las Vegas Municipal Court. The program is voluntary for those committed to making a change in their life and rebuilding a future.

Requirements

• One-Year Program
• Completion of a Clinical Drug/Alcohol evaluation
• To remain a distance of 300 feet or more from individuals known to be using illicit drugs or drinking alcohol
• Attend daily recovery-based community support groups, and provide proof of attendance, until otherwise directed by the court
• To remain in a safe and sober living environment for the duration of the program
• To complete substance abuse counseling
• Random drug and alcohol testing
• To remain abstinent from all illicit drugs and alcohol, as well as any mind-altering substances, such as synthetic weed
• To contact a YO Court team member with any problems
• Other requirements may be mandated depending on the needs of the individual

Program Requirements

Commitment to this 12 month program

Attend all scheduled court appearances on time

Participation in extensive services within the Veterans Healthcare Administration and community partners

Abstinence from all alcohol, illegal substances, mind altering chemicals (to include over the counter medication) and marijuana

Subjected to random drug testing

Stay out of trouble—no new criminal offenses