News

Cumberland County Holds Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony

February 18, 2025

On Wed., Feb. 19 at 11 a.m., Judge Jessica Brewbaker will oversee the graduation of four participants from TOMS Court at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Courtroom #1.

“We are so excited for the 18th commencement ceremony of TOMS Court and our four amazing graduates. We have seen each of them change their lives and become the awesome people they were always meant to be! We look forward to celebrating their successes,” said Judge Brewbaker.

TOMS stands for Together Optimizing Mental Health Solutions. TOMS Court is a diversionary program designed to address participants' mental health treatment needs in lieu of incarceration or standard probation. If a person is charged with a crime and has a qualifying diagnosis, they may be eligible for this 17 to 24 month program.

Participants in TOMS Court must enter a plea to participate in the program, however, upon successful completion, individuals are permitted to withdraw their guilty plea and, in most circumstances, the charges are drastically reduced. While in TOMS Court, participants can get services provided by a treatment team composed of mental health professionals, probation officers with specialized training on how to assist persons with mental illness, forensic case managers and others.

There are currently more than 130 treatment court programs in Pennsylvania – including Veterans Courts, Mental Health Courts, Adult Drug Courts, Family Drug Courts, DUI Courts, Re-Entry Drug Court, Juvenile Drug Courts and Adult Drug/DUI Hybrid Courts. The purpose of these treatment courts is to reduce recidivism and help individuals return to their jobs and families and become productive citizens.

 

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Media contact: Casey Scheffler, 610-425-1712