Approve declaration and resolution to establish the Felony Mental Health Diversion Court as a Mental Health Program pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapters 121 and 125. (Judge Brown)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

<span style='color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;' data-pasted="true">Government Code Sec. 125.005 requires that the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 200,000 shall establish a mental health court program. The Travis County Misdemeanor Courts have operated a mental health docket since 2015, and the Commissioners Court officially recognized that court and approved it for an OCA treatment court in 2020. The Felony Courts have operated a mental health docket (MHD) for approximately 6 years, allowing defendants the opportunity to have their case dismissed. The MHD is a collaborative effort involving the judge, specially educated prosecutors and defense attorneys, our local MH authority and others. The Felony Court request the Commissioners Court officially declare the Felony Mental Health Court and approve a resolution to that effect.</span>