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Judge Wigginton cites new district-attorney practice requiring two psychiatric evaluations; court approves transfer to cover costs
Summary
The court approved a line-item transfer to cover expenses related to a new district attorney practice of filing motions that require two psychiatrist-level evaluations for certain jail-release cases; officials said two evaluations are required by statute and psychiatrist exams can cost a couple thousand dollars each.
Judge Wigginton told the court the district attorney's office has begun filing motions that ask courts to order two psychiatric evaluations for individuals being released from jail with ongoing mental-health issues; the court approved a line-item transfer to provide funding for the evaluations.
"The process requires 2 evaluations... By statute, you have to have 2," a county representative said, and staff noted that using two psychiatrist evaluations can run "a couple thousand per psychiatrist evaluation." The judge said the office is exploring lower-cost options, including coordination with the local mental-health authority, and that the county would identify a suitable line item to cover the immediate costs.
The court moved and approved the transfer by voice vote. Commissioners discussed the budget implications and instructed staff to pursue options to reduce per-evaluation cost while complying with statutory requirements.
