BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a revolving door court officials are trying to stop. A new program in Bernalillo County could give judges a different option for repeat offenders with mental illnesses.
Time and time again, judges see the same offenders inside this courthouse who are found mentally incompetent and released after their case is dismissed. But through launching the competency diversion pilot program, judges hope to turn things around.
“For too long, individuals living with serious mental illness have cycled through our justice system,” said New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Briana Zamora…