Services Mental Health Court Criteria

Admission Criteria: 

• Adult offender (18 years or older)
• Must reside in the 4th Judicial District (at the time of application)
• The charges or probation must originate from the 4th Judicial District
• MH diagnosis within criteria under Eligible Diagnosis
• Must enter plea of guilty under MHC plea agreement with County Attorney’s Office
• Must execute all documents and releases 
• No persons on parole and No sex offenses (past or present charges)
• No forcible felonies or offenses where mandatory minimums apply
• Indictable misdemeanors which meet criteria*; Class C and D nonviolent felonies*
• If currently meets criteria for mental health or substance abuse committal, then not eligible until stabilized enough for participation
• If the applicant has other unresolved charges or warrants then is not eligible (the offender may reinitiate his/her application once those matters are concluded)
• If primary diagnosis is substance abuse then not eligible (may be co-occurring)
• Must be competent as he/she waives rights including entering a guilty plea
• Persons with Intellectual Disability and Traumatic Brain Injury will be considered on a case by case basis
• Must agree to participate and meet all conditions 
• The applicant’s past criminal history will be considered to determine appropriateness for the program

Eligible Diagnosis

Schizophrenia Spectrum; Bipolar and Related Disorders; Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders (not solely resulting from substance abuse); Trauma and Related Disorders; Dissociative Disorder (primary diagnosis of substance abuse and addiction disorders; personality disorders or paraphilic disorders are excluded)

Risk Assessment

In addition to the limitations above, it is the not the intention to admit offenders with high risk of significant violence as this is a community based program.  Offenders who possess, use, or display weapons are at high risk for exclusion.  Applicants who currently or in the past have caused serious or extensive injury to another will be excluded.  Persons who possess, use, or display a firearm will be excluded.  Current charges as well as past history will be used to determine violence risk.  Past history may include other crimes; history as provided by applicant; applicant’s family or treatment provider; number and frequencies of hospitalizations; non-compliance with treatment including aggression toward treatment providers.