Media Advisory:
Anne Arundel County District Court celebrates its new Mental Health Court 

The District Court of Maryland is announcing a new problem-solving court focused on providing mental health treatment and related services to the Anne Arundel County community. The opening docket will take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Anne Arundel County District Court, Glen Burnie location. This is the first Mental Health Court in Anne Arundel County. The Mental Health Court will focus on providing individuals accused of crimes stemming from a mental or behavioral health condition or crisis with mental health treatment and other resources. 

The dual goals of the Anne Arundel County District Court Mental Health Court are to reduce recidivism while providing accountability for mental health treatment and resources to individuals with behavioral health needs. The Mental Health Court will also have a court diversion component for less serious cases.

Anne Arundel County District Court will work closely and partner with the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System to evaluate, monitor, and provide treatment and other resources to participants in the Anne Arundel County District Court Mental Health Court. The Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System is an established, innovative, and highly successful program that serves Anne Arundel County residents in crisis due to mental health and other behavioral health conditions.

NOTE: Please contact the Maryland Judiciary, Government Relations and Public Affairs, by email at [email protected] or 410-260-1488, if you plan to attend or have questions. The use of cameras inside the courtroom will be limited. Photographers will be allowed to take pictures of the Mental Health Court docket opening ceremony, however, pictures are not permitted while the judge is presiding over the Mental Health Court docket on the bench. Photographers also will be allowed to take still photography and/or video outside of the courtroom, but those requests must be approved in advance. Photographers must ask participants for their consent prior to taking pictures and/or video.