For years now, New Jersey’s system of drug recovery courts has kept people facing minor drug charges out of jail, instead placing them on a path towards addiction rehabilitation and recovery. Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds wants to see a similar system created to help those struggling with serious mental health problems.
Reynolds is calling for New Jersey to create a system of mental health courts, modeled after existing practices in Florida and California, to screen adult and juvenile defendants for mental illness and offer an alternative path from the criminal justice system when possible. Reynolds discusses the benefit of mental health courts.
