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Forensic Evaluations Unit (FEU)

Conducts court-ordered psychological evaluations and diversionary screenings.

 

The Forensic Evaluations Unit (FEU) conducts court-ordered psychological evaluations and diversionary screenings to criminal justice-involved individuals across all levels of the county judicial system.

Evaluations

The Forensic Evaluations Unit provides scientific, ethical and legal forensic psychological evaluations, consultation, and other psychology-related services to the Courts to properly administer justice. The unit is involved with cases in Juvenile Court, District and Superior Criminal Courts, Clerk of Court-Special Proceeding Division, and conducts the following evaluations:

 

Every effort is made to ensure the courthouse is a safe environment. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of courthouse security.

Diversion

The Criminal Justice Diversion Team redirects individuals with severe mental illness and developmental issues away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate mental health treatment and supportive services. The team is responsible for: 

  • Court-ordered Mental Health Evaluations (MHE) with treatment recommendations and community resources.

  • Comprehensive Clinical Assessments (CCA) for entry into community services and placement upon release from custody.

  • Screening individuals in detention for diversion programs.

  • Coordinate release plans with the local Managed Care Organization (MCO) to assign appropriate services to clients.

  • Advocate for clients who cannot speak or act on their own behalf. 

  • Specialized case management and assistance with obtaining/restarting disability benefits, arrange transportation, and/or completing a housing evaluation for individuals in custody. 

  • Track individuals post-release to ensure they receive services and are stabile in the community.

  • Complete and submit SSI/SSDI disability applications for eligible individuals through our SOAR-Criminal Justice program 

Criminal Justice Services Diversion Team Referral Form

Refer a client to the Criminal Justice Diversion Team.

Court Order and Referral Forms

Court Order and Referral Forms for NC-RISE and Atrium CCR

The Sequential Intercept Model

The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) is a framework designed to identify key points, or "intercepts," within the criminal justice system where interventions can be made to divert individuals with mental health and substance use disorders away from incarceration and toward treatment and support services. By mapping out these intercepts, the SIM helps communities develop targeted strategies to improve outcomes for individuals at risk of entering or re-entering the justice system.

The model highlights six intercept points:

  1. Intercept 0: Community Services
  2. Intercept 1: Law Enforcement
  3. Intercept 2: Initial Detention/Initial Court Hearings
  4. Intercept 3: Jails/Courts
  5. Intercept 4: Reentry
  6. Intercept 5: Community Corrections/Community Support

Each intercept represents an opportunity for intervention and support, aiming to reduce recidivism, promote recovery, and enhance public safety. The SIM fosters collaboration among criminal justice, mental health, and community stakeholders to create a more effective and humane system.

Downloadable SIM map

Intercept 0 - Hospital, Crisis, Respite, Peer, & Community Services

Intercept 1 - Law Enforcement & Emergency Services

Intercept 2 - Initial Detention & Initial Court Hearings

Intercept 3 - Jails & Courts

Intercept 4 - Reentry

Intercept 5 - Community Corrections & Community Supports

Research and Training Opportunities

The Forensic Evaluations Unit is involved in a number of research and collaborative programs and offers pre-doctoral clinical externships, graduate practicum training opportunities, and undergraduate non-clinical internship placements.  Interested candidates can email [email protected] for more information.