Forensic navigators work throughout the state of Minnesota and provide effective and professional coordinated services to defendants who live with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and/or cognitive impairments. As provided in Minn. Stat. 611.41, subd. 8 and 611.55, subd. 3, forensic navigators work with defendants to ensure they receive appropriate services so they can attain competency and successfully comply with their conditions of release and resolve their case. Forensic navigators do not replace services that defendants are otherwise eligible for, such as pre-trial supervision, probation, and/or county case management services. A forensic navigator may, however, assist the defendant in getting connected to such services.
You can read more about the forensic navigator’s role in this handout, Forensic Navigator Services.
As MNCAB continues to build the statewide competency attainment system, forensic navigator resources are not available to provide services for every case in which the court appoints a forensic navigator. When a court orders the appointment of a forensic navigator to a case, the order is sent to the Competency Attainment Board for assignment. Upon receipt, orders are added to a review queue and the screening process is applied to determine whether resources are available to assign a forensic navigator. MNCAB's case screening criteria are aimed at ensuring forensic navigators are assigned to cases in as many counties as possible and in cases where forensic navigator services may result in the greatest benefit to the client and the court.
You can read more about the screening process in this handout, Case Screening Process.
MNCAB quarterly reports provide an overview of the data related to orders and case assignments.
