I. Overview:
Since 1925 the Medical Services Division has been providing psychiatric,
psychological, and social work evaluations for the court system in
Baltimore. Medical Services Division staff members have also provided
leadership in the development of key local and statewide forensic psychiatric
programs and services. Today we continue to work closely with other city, state,
and private agencies in developing and improving programs and services to
persons with mental illness who have court involvement. All programs and
services are initiated or approved by the judiciary.
Most recently the Division has participated in targeted jail diversion efforts
primarily at the District Court level as well as programs developed by the
Circuit Court's Family and Juvenile Divisions that provide special services to
children and families.
Location:
The Medical Services Division is located in Courthouse East, a central location
providing easy access for court personnel, transportation personnel, as well as
for children, youth, and adults in the community who are referred for evaluation
or other services.
Referrals:
Judges and Masters of the Eighth Judicial Circuit's Family, Criminal, and
Juvenile Divisions provide most evaluation referrals. In specific
instances, the Division's special programs can receive referrals from District
Courts, from other agencies, or consumers themselves.
Staffing:
Medical Services staff and consultants who perform evaluations are forensically
trained and have qualified as experts. Division psychiatrists and
psychologists average more than fifteen years of experience. Staff social
workers are licensed at the highest clinical level and have extensive experience
working
with forensic populations.
Goals:
The principal goal of the Division is to provide timely, high quality,
unbiased court ordered evaluations and reports. Due to constitutional
speedy trial requirements and the tremendous volume of cases coming through the
Circuit Courts, Division staff members make great efforts to expedite their
work. Due dates are important and postponements are infrequent.
Urgent requests and emergency evaluations are handled as soon as possible.
Special Programs:
Since the 1970's, Medical Services Division staff members have helped develop
special programs and services that reflect the Court's commitment to therapeutic
jurisprudence as well as the Court's interest in efficiency and
productivity. Many of these services are funded through state or private
grants or intergovernmental agreements.
Statistics:
In FY 2008 the Medical Services Division's staff provided evaluations and/or
services for more than 3400 individuals. These ranged from extensive
evaluations in complex criminal responsibility, child custody, or child abuse
cases to brief screening evaluations for competency to stand trial or
eligibility for participation in a jail diversion program.
Training:
The Division's operation is enhanced by long-standing and widely respected
training programs with the University of Maryland, Morgan State University,
Johns Hopkins University, Howard University and others. These programs
include:
- a one year forensic psychiatric fellowship for psychiatrists wishing to
pursue careers in forensic psychiatry
- rotations for child and adolescent psychiatry fellows
- rotations for psychiatry residents
- internships for post-doctoral students in psychology
- electives for graduate students in psychology
- year-long internships for graduate social work students
- electives for law students and medical students
Under the supervision of Medical Services staff and special consultants,
these students participate in hundreds of evaluations and contribute fresh
perspectives.|
Continuing Improvement:
The Division is committed to continuing improvement in its evaluation
services and special programs. We welcome discussion with court
personnel and others who may have suggestions for improvement.
Thomas J. Oglesby, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Contact:
Beverly Wise, LCSW-C
Administrative Director
111 N. Calvert St.
Room 100
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 296-5013
