60 Minutes-News Makers

California's controversial CARE Court brings mental health care into the courtroom

By CECILIA VEGA

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 / 7:00 PM / CBS NEWS

On any given night, more than 170,000 people are living on California's streets or in its shelters. It is the largest homeless population in the country -- fueled by a lack of affordable housing and the state's failure to provide adequate mental health care. 

One-in-four has a serious mental illness.

It's a crisis that's bred fear in communities, as violent crimes rise. And this past week, Sacramento's top prosecutor sued California's capital city for allowing it to quote "collapse into chaos." 

That's the landscape Gov. Gavin Newsom says he's trying to change, starting this fall, with a controversial, new plan on track to cost billions. 

It's called CARE court because it brings mental health care into the courtroom. Now judges will order people to get help and counties to provide it under a new law that emphasizes accountability and consequences.

We met with Gov Newsom and found him to be fired up and fed up. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom: Change has its enemies. I get it. But one thing you cannot argue for, with all due respect to all the critics out there, is the status quo. You can't. And in the absence of alternatives, What the hell are we gonna do to address this crisis?

It is a crisis overwhelming cities across the country, but California has been hit the hardest.

And Gov. Gavin Newsom says it is desperation – born out of scenes like this… that drove the idea for CARE Court.

Cecilia Vega: You've used words like, "You're outraged." "You're disgusted by what's happening on the streets."

Gov. Gavin Newsom: I am. 'Cause I see what everybody else sees. I try to walk my kids to the park and have a difficult time navigating the sidewalk. It's a fail-first system, not a care-first system, which means you have to end up in the criminal justice system before finally someone provides support and a bed and a solution. We've gotta change that. And that's what we're doing. 

Here's how it will work: a person referred to CARE Court for a severe mental illness is evaluated. If they have an untreated psychotic disorder, like schizophrenia, a judge can order a mental health treatment plan including medication, therapy and a place to live. 

The governor believes the new civil court system will help thousands get off the streets – and make everyone safer by helping people before they become a danger to themselves or others. 

Cecilia Vega: You think CARE Court could be the solution that could save someone's life?

Gov. Gavin Newsom: I don't think it. I know it. It's very familiar what we're doing, even though it's novel and new and bold.

Cecilia Vega: Novel, new and bold. So it's an experiment?

Gov. Gavin Newsom: No. It's not. When people get their meds, when people get support, we know we can turn people's lives around. This is imminently solvable 

But what if someone ordered by a judge to get help doesn't think they need it? 

They'll have access to a public defender and *can* refuse treatment… they won't be sent to jail.

https://youtu.be/bhGfo-LDzRU

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/care-court-california-mental-illness-courtroom-plan-60-minutes-transcript/