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Behavioral Health Court
Another alternative to San Diego county custody is Behavioral Health Court. This court is meant for the mentally ill offenders that are eligible for probation (felony or misdemeanor).
The screening process occurs between change of plea and sentencing. The parties must agree to a stipulated sentence. There must signed Arbuckle Waiver. The sentencing will be set on the Behavioral Health Court calendar. You should contact the Behavioral Health Court team member with the case number. The team will evaluate the defendant prior to sentencing date in Behavioral Health Court to make a final decision on eligibility. If ineligible, the defendant will be sentenced as stipulated.
The eligibility criteria are that the defendant is a San Diego County Resident. He or she is at least 18 years of age and a US citizen or legal permanent resident. He or she must be probation eligible, mentally competent, diagnosed with serious mental illness and get approval from the Behavioral Health Court team.
The exclusionary factors to prevent this alternative to San Diego county custody is if the defendant is convicted of a sex offense or 290 registrant, parolee, charged with use or possession of a firearm, charged with use of knife, or charged with an offense involving great bodily injury.
Successful completion of Behavioral Health Court may result in dismissal of some charges.
If you have questions about Behavioral Health Court, contact San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Vik Monder at 619.405.0063 or visit San Diego Criminal Defense