Tuscaloosa seeks to create a mental health court program

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox wants to create a mental health court similar to diversion programs that work with first time offenders. The mayor says he wants the committee to present recommendations on the court before the end of the year. He hopes to have it operating by early 2022. The mental health court would operate inside the city's municipal court. Maddox says such a court would help people with mental health needs get the treatment and help they need instead of jail time. The mayor recently appointed five people to a committee to provide recommendations that would help set up the court.