JUDGE RULES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL
by Howard Finkelstein
Over the last few years Broward County has taken many remarkable
steps to more humanely handle the unique needs of mentally ill and mentally retarded
persons who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Although the Mental Health
Court has received most of the attention, notoriety and praise it is only one of the many
new and progressive developments that have been or will be implemented.
All of these developments, however, have one thing in common. They
are the direct result of the work, efforts and vision of one person. 
That person is the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Mark Speiser.
Judge Speiser, without precedent and only his vision to guide him,
created the Mental Health Task Force. This Task Force brought to the table all of the
parties that impact the treatment of the mentally ill in the criminal justice system. They
include prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement, those in the mental health system,
private providers and relevant political players. Judge Speiser began a meaningful
dialogue that still continues to this day. The purpose of this dialogue is to gain control
of what a past Grand Jury called a "leaderless and rudderless ship" that was,
and to a great extent, still is our mental health system.
Some, but certainly not all, of the accomplishments to come out of
this dialogue as a result of Judge Speiser's firm but gentle guidance:
1). A more user friendly crisis stabilization facility for the
benefit of law enforcement as well as the person in crisis. This allows for a greater
possibility that law enforcement will divert the person in crisis to the mental health
system rather than jail.
2). Altering the probable cause affidavit forms that are used by all
police agencies to allow for a designation of a possible mental disability. This would
increase the ability to identify and divert appropriate mental health cases to the mental
health system and out of the jail system.
3). Sensitivity training for police officers so that they can more
effectively and humanely interact with persons who are mentally ill or mentally retarded.
4). Getting the Department of Children and Families to fund a
position that will place a psychiatric nurse in the Mental Health Court.
5). Accessing available grant money so that additional and better
services and treatment can be provided to those suffering from mental illness and drug
addiction. In addition Judge Speiser was and still is one of the guiding forces of Broward
County's Drug Court.
In this writer's opinion, the most important change that Judge
Speiser has brought to Broward County is a new attitude and a new way that the criminal
justice system views, interacts with and dispenses justice and /or treatment to those
suffering from mental illness, retardation and addiction. Judge Speiser has introduced a
new dawn. One that is more understanding , compassionate and humane. His efforts, vision
and heart have been a grand gift. He has most definitely helped those afflicted with
mental illness and drug addiction. But he has also helped us, for he has led the way so
that we can begin to leave behind our collective shame and start treating our brothers and
sisters and mothers and fathers and husbands and wives as family rather than animals. For
this we should all be grateful.
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