An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer is Knowledgeable About All Rehabilitative Court Programs
Whatever it Takes or WIT Court is a collaborative court program similar to DUI or Drug Court in Orange County. However, unlike DUI or Drug Court, WIT is a judicial construct, not a legislative one. This means that the requirements to enter the program, make it through the program and graduate are created by the judge, not the California legislature.
WIT Court is funded through Proposition 63, The Mental Health Services Act passed in November of 2004 (codified in section 5840 of the Welfare and Institutions code). To be eligible for the program the defendant must have a (1) “serious and persistent” mental health disorders, (2) must be homeless or on the verge of homelessness and (3) must have “non-violent” charges.
In addition to the three requirements just mentioned, the defendant typically pleads guilty to the underlying crime and participates in WIT Court as a sentence and/or condition of probation. Upon graduation of the program however, the criminal conviction is vacated.
Once in the program, the participants are provided with mental health counseling, psychiatric services, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, residential treatment, safe housing, family counseling and peer mentoring. The Participants are also assisted in accessing medical services, employment counseling, job training and placement, government benefits, and housing. (As stated at, http://www.occourts.org/directory/ collaborative-courts/).
Hiring an experienced CA criminal defense law firm can greatly increase your chances of keeping your freedom, ensuring you receive the lowest possible sentence and possibly eliminating your criminal record. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been helping people for over 30 years and know the benefits of participating in a collaborative court, such as WIT Court.
Please feel free to contact Wallin & Klarich to discuss your case. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 888-280-6839 or go to our website at wklaw.com for more information.
Check back for more tomorrow on the collaborative court system and WIT Court in Southern California.
