Crisis help available now · Call or Text 988 · Georgia Crisis Line: 800-715-4225 · Text HOME to 741741
About the Mental Health Court
The Paulding County Mental Health Court is an 18-month, judicially supervised program that provides individuals with documented mental illness a structured, treatment-based alternative to incarceration.
Program at a Glance
A bridge between mental health and justice.
"A Mental Health Court represents an effort to increase effective cooperation between two systems that have traditionally not worked closely together — the Mental Health System and the Criminal Justice System."
Mental illness affects millions of Americans — and a disproportionate number of those individuals cycle through the criminal justice system without ever receiving the treatment they need. The result is unnecessary incarceration, repeated offenses, and significant costs to communities.
The Paulding County Mental Health Court is designed to break that cycle. Rather than treating mental illness as a character failure, this program treats it as a medical condition — and responds accordingly, with structured treatment, accountability, and support.
Participants are not simply given a pass. They are held to rigorous standards: attending treatment, appearing in court, maintaining sobriety, and actively working toward stability. What they receive in return is the kind of sustained, coordinated support that the traditional justice system rarely provides.
The goal is not just to resolve a legal case. It is to help people become stable, self-sufficient members of their families and communities — and to remain that way.
Our Mission
To improve mental health outcomes, promote self-sufficiency, reduce recidivism, and offer cost-effective alternatives to incarceration and hospitalization for individuals with documented mental illness involved in the criminal justice system.
What participation looks like.
Enrollment in the Mental Health Court is voluntary — but active participation is required. Here is what participants are expected to do throughout the program.
Weekly Treatment
Attend weekly mental health treatment groups and individual therapy sessions with assigned treatment providers.
Court Hearings
Attend weekly court hearings before Judge Woodall and in-person case management meetings with the court team.
Medication Compliance
Take all prescribed medications as directed. Medication management is a core component of mental health stability.
Sobriety
Abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol. Submit to weekly, random drug testing throughout the program.
Curfew & Home Visits
Adhere to a court-mandated curfew and cooperate with home visits conducted by designated personnel.
Employment or Service
Gain and maintain employment or complete community service hours as directed by the court team.
The path through the program.
The Mental Health Court is structured in phases. Each phase requires demonstrated progress before advancement. Graduation is earned — never automatic.
Stabilization
Intensive engagement with treatment providers, court team, and case managers. Establishing routine, medication compliance, and sobriety. Frequent court appearances. Focus is entirely on stability — employment and other requirements come later.
Building Foundation
Treatment continues with reduced court appearances as participants demonstrate consistent compliance. Introduction of employment or community service requirements. Case management focuses on housing stability, benefits access, and community reintegration.
Community Integration
Participants demonstrate sustained stability and begin transitioning toward independence. Court appearances decrease. Focus on long-term employment, relationships, and community engagement. Peer mentorship opportunities introduced.
Graduation Preparation
Final phase focused on sustaining progress and preparing for life after program completion. Participants develop personal aftercare plans with their treatment team and court coordinator. Graduation is a formal ceremony recognizing genuine achievement.
Who can apply?
The Mental Health Court serves a specific population. Review the eligibility criteria below before applying. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact Coordinator Skylar Boles directly.
✓ Generally Eligible
- Documented diagnosis of a severe and persistent mental illness
- Current or prospective Paulding County resident
- Mental illness directly correlates with the current offense
- Moderate to high risk of reoffending without treatment
- Facing felony-level charges (reviewed case by case)
- Willing to voluntarily participate and comply with all program requirements
- No active immigration holds
- Represented by an attorney who can submit a referral
✗ Generally Ineligible
- Active immigration holds or pending deportation proceedings
- No documented mental health diagnosis
- Unwilling to voluntarily participate or comply with treatment
- Current offense not correlated with mental illness
- Certain violent offense histories (reviewed case by case)
- Refusal to relocate to Paulding County if required
Note: Eligibility is determined on an individual basis by the court team. If you are unsure, submit an application or contact the coordinator — do not self-select out.
Meet the people behind the program.
The Mental Health Court team is dedicated to individualized support — not just accountability.
Judge Angela Woodall
Probate Judge of Paulding County and appointed Presiding Judge of the Paulding County Mental Health Court. Judge Woodall brings over 22 years of legal practice in family, juvenile, probate, and adoption law to the bench. Her background in family and juvenile matters informs a court philosophy centered on human dignity and long-term outcomes over punitive measures alone.
Judge Woodall was elected to the bench in 2020 and has championed the Mental Health Court as a critical bridge between the justice system and community mental health resources.
Skylar Boles
Skylar Boles serves as the primary point of contact for the Paulding County Mental Health Court. As Court Coordinator, Skylar manages participant case files, coordinates with treatment providers, facilitates the application and referral process, and ensures participants have access to the resources they need throughout the program.
For questions about the program, applications, or referrals — Skylar is your first call.
Common questions about the program.
Don't see your question here? Contact Skylar Boles directly.
Yes. Participation in the Mental Health Court is entirely voluntary and is a pre or post-plea option. No one is forced to enter the program. However, once enrolled, participants must comply with all program requirements to remain in good standing.
Applications are typically initiated through an attorney referral. Your attorney can submit a short referral form along with supporting documentation. If you are an attorney or a candidate without representation, contact Coordinator Skylar Boles directly at 770-443-7541 to discuss next steps. You can also begin the application process online on our How to Apply page.
The program is designed for individuals with a documented diagnosis of a severe and persistent mental illness — including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and other serious psychiatric conditions. The diagnosis must be documented and must correlate with the current offense. Contact the coordinator if you have questions about a specific diagnosis.
Non-compliance is reviewed by the court team on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the nature and frequency of the violation, responses can range from increased court appearances and additional requirements to temporary sanctions. Repeated or serious non-compliance can result in termination from the program, at which point the original criminal case proceeds. The court team works to support participants through setbacks before resorting to termination.
The minimum program length is 18 months. However, actual time in the program depends on individual progress through each phase. Advancement requires demonstrated compliance and stability — not simply the passage of time. Some participants complete the program in 18–20 months; others may take longer. Graduation is never automatic.
There is no cost to participate in the Mental Health Court program itself. Participants may be responsible for supervision fees and costs associated with their treatment plan, depending on insurance coverage and individual circumstances. CareLink, a free charitable clinic in Dallas, GA, is available for uninsured participants. Contact the coordinator to discuss specific financial concerns — these are not a barrier to participation.
Yes. Family involvement is encouraged and can be an important part of a participant's recovery. Family members may be invited to participate in certain treatment activities and court events. If you are a family member seeking resources for a loved one — whether or not they are enrolled in the program — visit our Resources page for a full directory of Paulding County support services.
Graduation from the Mental Health Court is a significant achievement and is recognized with a formal ceremony. Upon successful completion, participants may have their charges dismissed or reduced, depending on the terms of their participation agreement. Graduates also receive an aftercare plan developed with their treatment team to support continued stability. Many graduates remain connected to the community resources they accessed during the program.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact Coordinator Skylar Boles or begin your application today. The program is voluntary — reaching out does not commit you to anything.