Mental Health Specialty Court

The McLennan County Mental Health Court (MHC) is a pre- and post-adjudication program that primarily serves participants with mental health issues.  MHC participation can also be ordered as an initial or modified condition of community supervision for participants who meet the criteria for the MHC.  MHC is a four-phase program for adults who have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense and who are diagnosed with a mental illness. It is a voluntary program that requires a minimum 12-month commitment. MHC is a collaboration of McLennan County, the Court, Prosecutor’s Office, CSCD, MHC defense attorney and Treatment Providers. 

Minimum Application Requirements

 

Prior to submission of an application, please review the following criteria for eligibility, only complete applications will be reviewed by the MHC, Individuals that are accepted will be notified, however individuals will not be officially admitted to the program until they appear before the MHC judge.  Among the misdemeanor charges that may be appropriate for the MHC are Criminal Trespass, DWI, assault with bodily injury, family violence, unlawful carrying of a weapon and terroristic threat. The primary target population is a mentally ill participant cycling through the courts and jails with a long history of untreated mental illness, substance abuse, and criminal involvement. The MHC targets higher risk individuals that need treatment and case management services.  Eligible candidates will primarily have misdemeanor offenses- low level felony cases will be considered on limited basis after October 1, 2020 and transfers will not be considered from another Mental Health Court until after October 1, 2020.

The MHC is a pre- and post-adjudication program that primarily serves participants with mental health issues.  MHC participation can also be ordered as an initial or modified condition of community supervision for participants who meet the criteria for the MHC.  MHC is a four-phase program for adults who have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense and who are diagnosed with a mental illness. It is a voluntary program that requires a minimum 12-month commitment. MHC is a collaboration of McLennan County, the Court, Prosecutor’s Office, CSCD, MHC defense attorney and Treatment Providers. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• charged of one or more misdemeanors &/or non “3g” felonies (no aggravated or sex-related offenses)
• Must be approved by the District Attorney’s office and in some cases the referring Court
• Must have charges in, and work or reside in McLennan Co., some exceptions may be made for those residing in an adjacent county
• Should not have holds or warrants from other jurisdictions or have other criminal cases pending
• Must be physically and mentally capable of participating in the program
• Willing to participate in the conditions of the court and in community treatment
• The primary motivating factor in the participant’s criminal activity is a mental illness with a diagnosis of one or more of the following disorders and current admission/treatment with MHMR or private therapist, including psychotropic medication management:

• Schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder
• Psychotic disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Other psychiatric illness with long-term disability

Conditions of the court:

• Remain substance abuse free for the duration of the court and submit to regular substance use testing
• Attend all court, treatment, and probation appointments and arrive on time
• Participate in treatment at MHMR or private therapy
• Do not have new law violations while participating in MHC
• Be respectful to members of the court, treatment providers, and peers
• Follow and comply with any and all treatment requirements, sanctions, and MHC court processes as assigned
• Pay all program fees

Applications must be completed with the approval of the defense attorney and sent to the Specialty Court Coordinator.