Photo: Judge Melanie Martin
Little Rock District Judge and Mountain Home native Melanie Martin, who handles criminal cases, is initiating a mental health court to clear misdemeanor records, after defendants have successfully completed treatment.
The Little Rock District Court-Criminal Division announced earlier this month the creation of the Pulaski County Mental Health Court. The court will serve high risk/high needs persons who have misdemeanor charges and who suffer from mental illnesses or disorders. The Mental Health Court, with countywide jurisdiction, will be operated through Little Rock District Criminal Court.
Little Rock District Court Criminal Judge Martin says, “This is a new and voluntary, post-adjudication, highly intensive supervision program designed in collaboration with community partners. We are excited about offering this alternative program to Pulaski County residents in need of these mental health services.”
The designated specialty court is available only to qualifying participants meeting program eligibility requirements. A participant must be an adult resident of Pulaski County, have no active warrants, have no prior or pending sex-related offenses and have no prior or pending violent felony offenses.
The Mental Health Court program is a minimum of 12 months. After the successful completion of the program the charge(s) are eligible for sealing. During the program participants must attend classes and mental health services, be tested regularly for drug use and report regularly to court sessions and probation officers.
Judge Martin is a 1985 graduate of Mountain Home High School. She attended the University of Arkansas and completed law school in Little Rock, where she has lived since 1989. After working in the Little Rock City Attorney’s Office her first year out of law school, Martin had served the citizens of Pulaski County for the past 25 years in the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, prior to taking the bench.
In November, Martin was the winner in a special election for the judge’ position.
She is the daughter of former Mountain Home residents Frank and Joy Huckaba.
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