An evaluation of psychiatric support to magistrates' courts

A Court Protocol was introduced to Hampshire Magistrates' Courts on 1 January 2003 which enabled magistrates to seek information on mentally disordered defendants from local mental health workers in place of requesting a full psychiatric report. The scheme was evaluated by examining 48 case files of mentally-disordered defendants who were referred between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003. It was found that its use had significantly reduced the time taken from first appearance to disposal and significantly reduced inappropriate referrals to consultant psychiatrists. In many cases, defendants were spared repeated bail adjournments and lengthy remands in prison.