Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
Defense counsel or the defendant must complete a referral packet containing the specified application, waiver, professional certification, and release.
Court's wording
Defense counsel/defendant must obtain and complete a referral packet, available from those Northampton County Offices noted under “Referral Process.” The referral packet includes: o Application: 3-page application to be completed, signed and dated. o Mental Health Court Rules and Waiver of Rights: 2-page document to be read, signed and dated, indicating the voluntariness of the applicant’s intended admission to the program and agreement to adhere to program rules and requirements. o Medical/Mental Health Professional’s Certification of Mental Health Diagnosis and Decision-Making Assessment: Completed by medical/mental health professional. o Applicant Release & Authorization: permitting the Northampton County Mental Health Court to obtain relevant medical information from the certifying physician for purposes of determining program eligibility and suitability.
Note: Every component of the application packet must be fully completed before consideration. Incomplete applications will be returned.
If available, the applicant must obtain recent evaluations and current mental health records and include them with the application packet.
Court's wording
Recent Assessments and Current Mental Health Records: The applicant shall obtain a copy of any recent evaluations and mental health records from any evaluating or treating physician, if available, and include the same with the application packet.
If the application is denied, a Court Order shall be entered and distributed.
If the application is accepted, the Coordinator will notify legal counsel and individual will be scheduled to appear before the Court for admission, and upon admission, a Court Order shall be entered and distributed.
Upon review of diversion on new charges, the District Attorney shall advise the Program Coordinator and counsel of the decision in writing.
Each Phase Three Sustainability Plan must be tailored to the participant and address the listed areas.
Court's wording
➢ In Phase Three, each participant shall develop a Sustainability Plan tailored to their individual strengths and needs, which shall address their plans for: o Maintaining continued mental health stability o Maintaining employment, social, and recreational supports o Experiencing continued growth and positive lifestyle choices o Being productive within the community o Avoiding further criminal law violations
▪ Working with case manager and other resources as appropriate, formulate sustainability plan and present it to the court (see below)
An applicant denied admission may submit a written reconsideration request explaining the supportive reasons for reconsideration.
Court's wording
If an individual considered for the program is not accepted, they may make a written request for reconsideration of the denial. The reconsideration request must comport with the timing requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 720, and must set forth supportive reasoning for reconsideration, such as mitigating circumstances pertaining to the crime or the individual that were not available upon initial consideration, or any other relevant information.
The participant must provide a quarterly printout documenting medical marijuana purchases from that dispensary.
A participant unsuccessfully discharged from the program may request reconsideration and must explain the supportive reasons for the request.
Court's wording
If a participant is unsuccessfully discharged from the program, they may submit a request for reconsideration of that decision. The reconsideration request must comport with the timing requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 720, and must set forth supportive reasoning for reconsideration, such as mitigating circumstances pertaining to the crime or the individual that were not available upon initial consideration, or any other relevant information.
As directed, participants must fill all of their prescription medications at one pharmacy and provide a quarterly printout from that pharmacy.
Participants required to participate in urinalysis will be required to read, review and sign rules relating to urinalysis respect to the same.
The Mental Health Case Manager shall provide a written summary of the participant’s status to the team the day prior to any Team Meeting.
However, applicants who believe there are compelling reasons supporting a subsequent application may apply, and should present those reasons to the Mental Health Court Team either by documentation or personal appearance before the Team.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Applications must be submitted to the Administrative Judge by hand delivery to Court Administration or electronically to the Judicial Secretary at the stated email address.
Applications shall be submitted to Administrative Judge Jennifer R. Sletvold, either by hand-delivery to Court Administration, or electronically to Judicial Secretary Sandra Pascoe at spascoe@norcopa.gov.
Criminal cases
Page 6 | Review Process (Diversion)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A request to reconsider denial of program admission must meet the timing requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 720.
The reconsideration request must comport with the timing requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 720,
Criminal cases
Page 11 | Policy on Reconsideration