County mental health court to offer new form of justice

Criminal defendants suffering from mental health disorders may soon benefit from a new local court that's aimed at lowering recidivism.

Auburn City Judge Michael McKeon said he will be in charge of the county's new mental health court, which could open its doors as early as January. The court will monitor people as they deal with mental illness through long-term counseling and medication.

“We don't cure people, there is no cure,” McKeon said. “We help them to manage their disease. We enable people to become law-abiding citizens.”