Above: Judge James Nilon, the presiding Mental Health Court (MHC) Judge, addresses a defendant and the Assistant Public Defender, Rachel Roy. Judge Nilon congratulates the defendant for compliance with the treatment plan and announces he has successfully completed the MHC Program. As is common practice at MHC, Judge Nilon steps down from the bench to hand the defendant a certificate of completion and welcomes the graduate to cupcakes and lemonade in the adjacent room. “I want to encourage you. You’ve done really well here. What a good job. Keep taking your medications and keep away from drugs and alcohol,” encourages Judge Nilon.