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New Horizons Opens Baker Act Courtroom

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Contributed by: Patricia Daum on 4/9/2008

Twice a week, Oliver McKenzie Smith makes the 18 mile round trip from the St. Lucie County Courthouse to New Horizons on Midway Road. When he arrives in the parking lot, the dignified young Magistrate puts on his judicial robes and enters the community mental health center.

Here, in a hidden corner of the adult residential unit is a small courtroom where Smith holds Baker Act Court. He patiently listens as a cross section of humanity appears before him...their immediate future in his hands.

They are all patients in the Adult Crisis Unit and have been hospitalized for varying periods of time for treatment and observation. The patients wait quietly in a hall until the bailiffs call them into the court room for a private hearing with the Magistrate. Observing the proceedings is an official with the State Attorney's Office who participates through live satellite.

After hearing the psychiatrist's detailed report and recommendation, Smith politely questions the patient. He makes the decision whether or not the patient is stable enough to go home or should stay in the unit for up to 28 days for additional treatment.

"The Baker Act Court at New Horizons has been a collaborative effort between the 19th Judicial Court, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and New Horizons," said John Romano, CEO of New Horizons. "Judge Roby, Diamond Litty and Sheriff Mascara have worked tirelessly to make the on-site courtroom a reality."

"It's wonderful to have the Baker Act Courtroom on-site," said Public Defender Diamond Litty. "We have eliminated the dangers of transporting the clients to the St. Lucie County Courthouse and we have also been able to preserve the client's dignity."

"With the on-site courtroom we have been able to avoid the trauma of having our mentally ill clients transported in handcuffs and paraded through the courthouse," said Romano. "Our clients are not criminals...they have a mental illness."

New Horizons is your community mental health center serving the people of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties. For information about New Horizons or the Baker Act Court call 468-5600 or website www.nhtcinc.org. For information on Baker Act, visit www.bakeractreform.org.

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