Traditionally, eligibility for mental health courts and other court-based diversion programs has been limited to people charged with misdemeanors or non-violent felonies. However, awareness is increasing that these programs can be most helpful to people charged with more serious crimes, including those most at risk of re-offending without needed services and supports. This seminar will feature two innovative programs that have achieved high success rates helping high-risk offenders with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders, including the nation’s first mental health court established to serve individuals charged with serious felonies, and a post-booking diversion program in Memphis, Tennessee, that provides a variety of individuals with new hope for recovery.

• The Honorable Tara Reilly, judge, Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, and presiding judge, San Bernardino Mental Health Court, San Bernardino, CA
• Stephen Bush, Esq., supervising attorney, Office of the Public Defender, and director, Jericho Project, Shelby County, Memphis, TN
• Moderator: Ron Honberg, J.D., director, Policy and Legal Affairs, NAMI National, Arlington, VA