Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility

• Candidate must voluntarily agree to enter the Mental Health Court Program.
• Candidate must agree to reside or be willing to reside in the 29th Judicial District.
• Candidate must be mentally competent at time of acceptance into the program.
• Candidate must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Candidate must not have violent charges that would make them ineligible.
• Candidate must not be a “sex offender” ("Sexual offender" means any person who has been convicted of or charged with a sexual offense or violent sexual offense as those terms are defined in § 40-39-202).
• Candidate must have a documented severe and persistent mental illness (based on past diagnosis within the last year) or will be referred for a mental health evaluation by a partnering treatment provider.
• Candidate must be deemed High Risk/High Need by the TN Risk Assessment System (TN-RAS).
  

What Participants Can Expect

• Regular court appearances and progress reviews.
• A behavioral health assessment and individualized treatment plan.
• Counseling, medication management, or other recommended services.
• Case management and connections to community resources.
• Compliance with court orders, supervision requirements, and program rules.
  

How the Program Helps

• Connect participants with mental health treatment and support services.
• Support stability, recovery, and successful participation in the community.
• Encourage accountability through court reviews and program monitoring.
• Reduce repeated involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Promote public safety through coordinated treatment and supervision.