Mental Health and the Justice System

Arizona Judicial Branch

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Decriminalizing mental illness.

Across Arizona, the court has taken a leadership role in improving its response to people experiencing mental illness. Nationally, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), and National Center for State Courts (NCSC) have been urging courts to commit to improvements and decriminalize mental illness, stating that the judiciary’s unique vantage point make it an ideal force for convening community stakeholders to develop protocols and processes that better address how the courts administer justice for those with mental illness and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.

	In partnership with the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education (Bar Foundation), the goal of the AZ Court Care website (www.AZCourtCare.org) is to help Arizonans better understand the options available for a person who may be a danger to themselves or others as a result of a mental disorder and is unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment. The website includes basic information on: What to do in a crisis situation – including calling non-police crisis hotlines, when appropriate The process in general that can apply to any county A glossary and collection of acronyms Brochure: “Help for you or a loved one: Options in a crisis situation”
	Treatment Courts. A mental health court is a treatment court for participants experiencing a mental health condition. It provides frequent judicial oversight, uses a team-based approach regarding treatment and supervision, and is evidence-based in its application of treatment, supervision, incentives, and sanctions. GO TO MENTAL HEALTH COURT SUMMARIES
	The "Developing Mental Health Protocols Summit" is intended to be a collaborative effort for Arizona's courts to improve the justice system's response to persons with serious or persistent mental health issues by creating effective local protocols based on a more expanded approach of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). 2019 Mental Health Summit Fair Justice for Persons with Mental Illness: Improving the Court’s Response – A Guide for Arizona Presiding Judges The Sequential Intercept Model: Policy Research Associates

Committees and Reports

Rule 11 Task Force
-- Interim Report (October 2022)

Committee on Mental Health and the Justice System
-- Final Report and Recommendations (September 2020)

Fair Justice Task Force's Subcommittee on Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System (2017-2018)
-- Final Report (2018)

Fair Justice for All Task Force - Final Report (2016)

Mental Health Court Advisory Committee (2014)
-- Arizona Mental Health Court Standards

Mental Health Forms
Form Title	Form No.
Psychological Pre-Evaluation	AOCMHGN1F
Competency Evaluation	AOCMHGN2F
Status Competency Report - Restoration to Competency Program	AOCMHGN3F
Final Competency Report - Restoration to Competency Program	AOCMHGN4F