Judge Jeffrey P. Saffold Appointed To MHDD Court
Judge Jeffrey P. Saffold is the latest Judge to preside over a docket in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) Court. Judge Saffold was appointed by Administrative and Presiding Judge Michael P. Shaughnessy, who he also succeeds on the docket.
Judge Saffold was elected in November 2022 to serve a six-year term. He received his bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University and his law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1995.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to this position,” says Judge Saffold. “The MHDD court provides structured oversight for individuals whose legal issues are closely connected to mental health challenges. We can help them to address the root causes of their behavior rather than simply imposing punishment. “
The MHDD Court was established in 2003 as a response to the increasing number of defendants with serious mental illnesses entering the criminal justice system. The MHDD Court is funded by the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and supported by federal and local resources through the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD). Judge Saffold will oversee a specific docket within the MHDD Court to address defendants with severe mental illness and substance use disorders utilizing the drug court treatment model.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and the MHDD judges are committed to managing defendants by effectively utilizing scarce resources that can improve long-term success in treatment and reduce recidivism. Further, the Court is committed to identifying additional resources that will continue to enhance the program.
The MHDD Court includes Chairperson Judge Shannon M. Gallagher, Judge Emily Hagan, Judge Timothy P. McCormick, and Judge Jennifer O’Donnell.