The Mental Health Court Assessment and Liaison Service provides a link between community mental health services and the ACT Law Courts.
The service includes the Court Assessment and Liaison Service and Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List.
About this service
We provide advice to the ACT Law courts in relation to the mental health of people presenting before the court.
This advice may include:
- Conducting screening assessments of people new in custody or court where the police or court have immediate concerns about the person’s mental health
- Providing mental health assessments and recommendations at the request of the court regarding the mental health of a person presenting before the court, and
- Providing expert opinion at the request of the court on specialist legal matters related to mental health.
Who we care for
Our service is a liaison service which provides advice to the court on matters relating to a person’s mental health.
Our service is accessible to any person who is new in custody or presenting before the court, where the court have concerns about their mental health.
We do not provide direct care to mental health clients but may refer people to suitable services.
How to access this service
All people assessed by us must be referred to our service by the police, a magistrate or judge of the ACT Law Courts.
If you have been arrested and you are worried about your mental health, talk to the Officers in the Watchhouse or an ACT Corrective Services Officers in the court cells and ask to speak to mental health.
If you feel that you have mental health concerns that the court should be aware of, your solicitor may request a mental health assessment by the Mental Health Court Assessment and Liaison Service via the magistrate or judge hearing your case.
What to expect
If you are new to custody and have been referred by the police for an assessment by our service, a mental health clinician will attend the court cells to see you prior to your court hearing. If you consent to this assessment, you will be asked about your mental health history and what is happening with you now.
If you have been referred by the magistrate or judge for a mental health report, we will contact you to organise a time for a mental health assessment. This will be over the phone or you will receive a letter with appointment details to attend our court or city office.
If you are remanded to custody, we will arrange to see you at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
What to bring to your appointment
- If you are attending an appointment for a mental health report, remember to bring your ID.
- You are welcome to bring any medical records that you think are relevant to your assessment.
Where we’re located
- ACT Law Courts Precinct, our Justice Health Services office is located in the new Supreme Court, Room 1.
- Forensic Mental Health Services, Ground Floor, City Community Health Centre.
We have directions and transport information to the City Community Health Centre.
