good morning my name is Chris Morales I’m an attorney in San Francisco California I’m a criminal law specialist that’s all that I do criminal law today we’re going to be talking about a new law in California mental health diversion for criminal cases it was just it was passed last year and went into effect January of this year it’s a terrific thing many clients many people who get charged with criminal offenses really they have a mental health problem it’s not a criminal issue as much there
are six criteria actually seven criteria to get into the mental health diversion programs in in your County number one the mental health program a diversion program is not for folks that have serious cases like murder rape child molesters makes you ineligible for the mental health diversion program but if you don’t have one of those type of cases the the criteria to get into the mental health diversion program is as follows number one you have to be diagnosed with a serious mental health problem like schizophrenia or bipolar or
something along those lines a judge has to determine that that the crime would the committed crime was as was a result of the mental health problem that you suffer next a mental health professional usually a psychologist or psychiatrist has to examine you and write a report to the judge saying indeed that that you you do have some sort of mental health issue and that issue contributed to the committed crime next you have to agree to waive your right to a speedy trial in criminal court you also have to agree
to abide by all the rules and regulations of mental health diversion which usually means potentially taking some sort of psychotropic drugs to help you with the issue also may be to go to therapy and and and finally the judge has to decide at the end of the day that you are now a danger to yourself or to others once all that criteria is met and you’re admitted into health mental health diversion usually stay for about 18 months you follow the program and at the end of the 18 months you come back you
graduate and the criminal case is dismissed it’s really a terrific program if you have any questions about the new mental health diversion program in the state of California please call me four one five five five two one two one five and also follow us on Instagram Facebook and Twitter thank you
Criminal Defense Attorney – Christopher Morales
Practice Area: The San Francisco Bay Area, California
Call us today for a free consultation (415) 552-1215 (Se Habla Español)
Website: www.sfcriminallawspecialist.com
