ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is launching a new competency diversion pilot program to connect individuals with severe mental illness to treatment and support services instead of jail.
The program was established to address a growing challenge in the justice system: people with untreated mental illness often cannot participate in their criminal proceedings, leading to dismissed charges and repeated arrests. Courts say this cycle leaves individuals without care and communities without solutions.
“This initiative improves public safety by linking people with a history of severe mental illness to the treatment and community-based support services they need,” said Justice Briana H. Zamora, the Supreme Court’s liaison to the Commission on Mental Health and Competency.
Who Qualifies
- People charged with misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies, excluding DWI.
- Participation is voluntary and requires approval from defense attorneys, prosecutors, and the court.
How It Works
- Screening: Eligible individuals are identified after booking.
- Support: Navigators guide participants to behavioral health care, housing, food, and employment assistance.
- Timeline: Three to six months for misdemeanors; six months to one year for felonies.
- Outcome: Charges dismissed upon successful completion of a navigation plan.
The program officially launches Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque. It is the fifth competency diversion program in New Mexico, following similar efforts in Santa Fe, Doña Ana, and other counties. Since mid-2024, 58 people have graduated from these programs…