Southwest Iowa Mental Health Court
The County Attorney is a member of the Mental Health Court. Other members include Adult Probation, SWI Region Case Managers, the Public Defender, Pottawattamie County Jail, Integrated Health Home, Council Bluffs Police Department, a therapist, and a District Court Judge.
What is the Mental Health Court (MHC)?
- An alternative to jail for persons with chronic mental health needs who commit crimes meeting established criteria
- An intensive individualized service that will help these offenders with chronic mental health needs treat their illness, take their medication as prescribed, meet their basic food and shelter needs, and avoid expensive incarceration or hospitalization
- A sentence that provides maximum opportunity for the rehabilitation of the defendant, the protection of the community from further offenses by the defendant, and consideration of the victim’s rights and safety
Who is eligible?
General Criteria
- Adults (18+)
- The individual agrees to participate in court-ordered treatment
- Must be a Fourth Judicial District Court case and reside within Southwest Iowa MHDS Region
- Current charges of indictable misdemeanors or non-violent felonies
- No mandatory minimums or forcible felonies allowed
- Offenses involving firearms and other weapons will be considered on a case by case basis
- Must enter a guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement
- Must have a new criminal Charge or Report of Probation Violation
- Supervised Probation of 12-14 months
- Must have a Mental Health Diagnosis
- No adjudicated Sex Offenders or Parole Cases allowed
- Must agree to meet regularly with Case Manager, therapist and maintain medication compliance
- Must have ability to meet with MHC at least monthly or as deemed necessary by the court and follow all MHC recommendations
Clinical Diagnostic Criteria
- A Mental Disorder as classified by the DSM-5
- Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders
- Bipolar and Related Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
- Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Dissociative Disorders
- A need for intensive team supervision to access community services
- No Clients with a primary diagnosis of Substance-Related and Addiction Disorders, Personality Disorders, or Paraphilic Disorders
- Special needs clients (Brain Injury, Developmental Disabilities) will be reviewed on a case by case basis
How to apply for Mental Health Court?
Referrals can be made by anyone by emailing MHC or Assistant County Attorney James Hansen.
Applications must be made by the Defendant’s attorney. Applications may be sent to James Hansen.
