Mental Health Court

Mission Statement

The mission of the Benton County Mental Health Court is to address the unique needs of individuals with mental illness which impacts their criminal behavior.  The court uses a strengths-based perspective to monitor, hold accountable, and provide support to participants as they engage in community-based mental health services essential to living lives free of the criminal justice system.

The Therapeutic Court office is located on the first floor of the Justice Center. 

Weekly Mental Health Court hearings are held every Wednesday in Courtroom 4 beginning at 9:00 A.M.

The Mental Health Court Team

About the Program

The Benton County Mental Health Court began operating in April 2016.  Referrals are being accepted on an on-going basis.  Referrals should be faxed or delivered to the Therapeutic Court Office located on the first floor Benton County Justice Center.  All referrals will be screened for eligibility.  If eligible, the defendant will be contacted by the Therapeutic Court Assistant Coordinator to schedule an appointment.

Mental Health Court is a voluntary, specialized, treatment-oriented court that reframes the traditional legal process with an emphasis on accountability and intensive monitoring for defendants with pending misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felony criminal charges in Benton County who are diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or major depressive disorder.

To enter Mental Health Court, you must sign a Stipulated Order of Continuance (SOC) which means that the case is held in a pretrial status for up to 24 months while you participate in Mental Health Court. If you successfully complete the program, your charge may be dismissed or amended to a lesser charge.  Your attorney will discuss this with you in more detail.

Circumstances which would make an individual ineligible for Mental Health Court include: active warrants in other jurisdictions, previous history of a sex offense, history of a severe violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, or cases in which a firearm was involved in the commission of the crime.  This is not an exclusive list of exclusionary criteria.  Please see the participant handbook or contact a member of the Therapeutic Court team for more information.

Mental Health Court is a program designed as an alternative to incarceration with emphasis on treatment and accountability for qualifying individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness who are involved in the Benton County criminal justice system.  Taking more of a therapeutic approach than the traditional justice system, participants are provided with support and resources to help improve their quality of life while improving safety and use of resources in our community.

Participants are required to participate in mental health treatment as well as substance use disorder treatment if there is an SUD history, perform community service, make regular court appearances, abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol, and are monitored closely for program compliance.  Participants receive case management support which can assist in referral to community services such as housing assistance, inpatient/outpatient treatment services, medication management, help applying for benefits and job training assistance. 

The philosophy of Benton County Therapeutic Courts is “SHOW UP, DO THE WORK, AND TELL THE TRUTH.” This program is meant to help you establish the necessary foundation so you can gain control of your life. By making the choice to participate, you have the opportunity to achieve and maintain stability, sobriety, and employment which helps ensure you avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system.