Mental Health & Habilitation
The firm represents clients in both Mental Health and Mental Habilitation Court: two specialized courts that help individuals living with mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. In both settings, the firm combines legal skill with compassion to protect your rights and help you navigate a process designed to balance justice and care.
Mental Health Court
What Mental Health Court Does
For individuals facing criminal charges while living with mental illness or individuals who are mentally ill and a danger to themself or others, D.C.'s Mental Health Community Court steps in. This specialized court is designed to help people with community-based treatment and support, not incarceration.
Mental Health Court's Goal
Instead of focusing on punishment, the court collaborates with defense attorneys, mental health professionals, and social service providers to create a treatment plan tailored to each participant. Successful completion of this plan can result in a second chance and prioritizing stability and recovery.
How We Can Help
The firm works closely with clients to evaluate whether Mental Health Court is a good fit, and if so, we advocate for entry into the program. We understand both the legal and clinical aspects of these cases and are committed to ensuring that our clients are treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness at every stage of the process.
Mental Habilitation Court
What Mental Habilitation Court Does
Mental habilitation in D.C. protects the civil rights of adults with developmental disabilities who have been committed to the care of the Department on Disability Services (DDS). These individuals receive an annual Individual Support Plan (ISP), which outlines goals and services tailored to their specific needs. These services may include supported living, vocational programs, education, and healthcare coordination.
Mental Habilitation Court's Goal
Mental Habilitation Court strives for hands-on advocacy during the annual review process and beyond. Attorneys visit clients quarterly, attend ISP meetings, and make sure the person’s voice is at the center of all decision-making through expressed wishes or substituted judgment. Attorneys work closely with service coordinators, providers, and court officials to monitor progress, identify problems, and propose new goals when old ones have been achieved.
How We Can Help
If services fall short, we pursue remedies through DDS, providers, and, when necessary, the courts. We are committed to safeguarding the rights of our clients in every setting from day programs to the courtroom, ensuring they live with the respect, support, and autonomy they deserve.
The information on this website does not constitute legal advice. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. The firm will not be able to represent you until the firm determines that no conflict of interest exists. An attorney-client relationship is established through an interview with an attorney and an engagement letter signed both by you and the attorney. Please do not send any confidential or time-sensitive information or documents until the firm has agreed to represent you in writing. By contacting Coopersmith Law, PLLC, you acknowledge that you understand and agree with this notice.
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