People suffering from mental illnesses may receive rehabilitative sentencing instead of jail time in Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties.
The 10th Judicial District Mental Health Court seeks to help qualifying residents seek treatment in lieu of serving probation or incarceration for non-violent offenses, according to a Tennessee Courts announcement.
"This would not have been possible without the help of others, but it is something I've been working on for and thinking about for many years," Circuit Court Judge Andrew Frieberg said, according to a local media report cited by Tennessee Courts.
The court will operate on a bi-weekly basis and requires a four-phase program for defendants, who must undergo mental evaluations.
The court launches Jan. 1, 2017, in partnership with The Caring Place of Cleveland, Tenn. and other other mental health organizations.
The Bradley County Courthouse will host a public forum concerning the mental court on Nov. 3.