PORT HURON (AP) -- Two and a half months ago, William Munsell was arrested for assault and battery.
Later, he was living in a shelter.
Today, he woke up under his own roof with his two sons.
The 24-year-old Marine City resident said going through St. Clair County's new mental health court has helped him get back on his feet and back with his family quicker than he thought possible.
"It has opened up so many different avenues to better myself without incarceration," Munsell said shortly before a recent court hearing.
The new court was developed as a way to get people with mental health illnesses on track and out of jail by offering services and supervision rather than flat incarceration.
Probate Judge John Tomlinson is overseeing the docket that started in January and has 29 cases.
Those who successfully complete the program could have jail time reduced or eliminated, and Tomlinson said in some cases the prosecutor's office will drop charges.
He said many variables are used in deciding whether a case should be moved to the mental health court. The biggest components are if the defendant is mentally ill or developmentally disabled and is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony that can be pleaded down to a misdemeanor.
A Community Mental Health official and a probation officer also screen cases for probability of success for defendants who could get through the program.
When a case is selected, defendants are moved to a probationary period in which they receive oversight from a clinician and probation officer.
"It's a really intensive level of involvement," Tomlinson said.
The court is working to have no more than 30 cases on the docket at a time to keep the one-on-one contact, he said. It has grant funding for three years.
Tomlinson said Munsell's story is one of many cases where defendants are engaging in the process and making the right decisions.
By having mental health resources and the court process tied so closely together, the two entities are able to better understand what each other needs.
Tomlinson said the program also offers incentives such as gift certificates to reward positive behavior such as not missing counseling sessions. The judge said they also look at the difficulties the defendants may face with being able to reach their meetings.
Tomlinson said they'll ask what they can do to help, which has in the past been a bus pass.
"What we're finding is we're able to kind of keep things tied together and coordinate services," he said. "We've had tremendous success."
Munsell said that level of involvement has helped.
He's been able to get continued counseling and medication for depression and bipolar disorder with the court system's help. Munsell also has been put in contact with programs that assist with housing.
"It's given me a chance to take care of both my boys without worrying about violating probation," said the unemployed single father.
Tomlinson said the court realizes there are roadblocks that can make the court process difficult, and it plays a hand in helping defendants take steps to avoid going back to jail for missing their hearings or counseling sessions.
Incentives also are offered to defendants.
Tomlinson gave Munsell a gift certificate to a fast-food restaurant for his good work, and said he should celebrate his new home with his sons.
Tomlinson said it's been rewarding to see the dramatic changes in each case, but in the long run, he hopes not to see them back.
"Hopefully we never see them again," he said.
Munsell said he thinks the program will have a long-term impact on him.
"It's a huge change for the better. It's (a) family environment. I'm guessing it can only help make me a better dad," he said, holding his 16-month-old son as his 3-year-old son zoomed a toy race car across the table in front of them.
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