DISTRICT COURT IN SANTA FE IS LAUNCHING A PROGRAM TO HELP RECENT CRIMINAL OFFENDERS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. SO THE PROGRAM FOR THOSE CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANORS AND NONVIOLENT FELONY OFFENSES, IT FOCUSES ON IMPROVING OUTCOMES, REDUCING REARRESTS AND COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING. SANTA FE COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT IS GOING TO BE HOSTING A MEETI
Program aims to help mentally ill people stay out of court
Funding for competency diversion programs was passed in the special legislative session last year.
Updated: 12:45 PM MDT Sep 9, 2025
A pilot program announced Monday may help newly arrested people with severe mental illness stay out of court, an Administrative Office of the Courts news release said.Under the terms of the initiative from the First Judicial District Court, people charged with misdemeanors (except DWI) and non-felony offenses are eligible. Those who agree and have been approved by their attorney, prosecutors and the court will be referred to the program. Those with misdemeanors will be enrolled for three to six months, and those with felonies, six months to one year. Trained staff, called navigators, will help participants get treatment, if they are willing, and other services such as housing, food and employment. The charges against them may be dismissed by the court if they complete a navigation program, if it’s developed with the court’s approval. If the program isn’t completed, their criminal cases will proceed, the release said.New Mexico courts have introduced three other competency diversion pilot programs so far this year. These are intended to reduce the cycle in which cases involving people with untreated mental illness are dismissed because they are unable to understand and participate in what happens in court.”Our courts serve as community problem solvers by operating competency diversion programs,” said David K. Thomson, Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. “These programs demonstrate the judiciary’s commitment to advancing efforts by the legislature and governor improve how New Mexico responds to people struggling with mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system.”Funding for competency diversion programs in Dona Ana, San Miguel, Guadalupe, Mora, Lincoln and Otero counties was approved during the special legislative session last year. The 1st District Court started an assisted outpatient treatment program earlier this year, and others in other competency diversion programs are in the planning stages.
SANTA FE, N.M. —
A pilot program announced Monday may help newly arrested people with severe mental illness stay out of court, an Administrative Office of the Courts news release said.
Under the terms of the initiative from the First Judicial District Court, people charged with misdemeanors (except DWI) and non-felony offenses are eligible. Those who agree and have been approved by their attorney, prosecutors and the court will be referred to the program. Those with misdemeanors will be enrolled for three to six months, and those with felonies, six months to one year.
Trained staff, called navigators, will help participants get treatment, if they are willing, and other services such as housing, food and employment. The charges against them may be dismissed by the court if they complete a navigation program, if it’s developed with the court’s approval.
If the program isn’t completed, their criminal cases will proceed, the release said.
New Mexico courts have introduced three other competency diversion pilot programs so far this year. These are intended to reduce the cycle in which cases involving people with untreated mental illness are dismissed because they are unable to understand and participate in what happens in court.
“Our courts serve as community problem solvers by operating competency diversion programs,” said David K. Thomson, Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court. “These programs demonstrate the judiciary’s commitment to advancing efforts by the legislature and governor improve how New Mexico responds to people struggling with mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system.”
Funding for competency diversion programs in Dona Ana, San Miguel, Guadalupe, Mora, Lincoln and Otero counties was approved during the special legislative session last year. The 1st District Court started an assisted outpatient treatment program earlier this year, and others in other competency diversion programs are in the planning stages.