Target Population and Program Eligibility: The 1st Judicial District Behavioral Health Court (BHC) targets high risk, high need participants. These are person with persistent and serious mental health illness who are at high risk for engaging in criminal behavior due to their mental health illness. Participants must agree to participate in all referred treatments and discontinue all mood altering substances that are not prescribed by a physician and approved by the BHC team. To be eligible for referral the offender must meet the following criteria:

• Initial referral to BHC must be based upon probation revocation or resentencing following a probation revocation
• 18 years of age or older
• Offense must have occurred in either Jefferson or Gilpin County
• Documented diagnosis of serious and persistent mental health illness within the last six months.
• Must be able to participate in all service and court appearances
• Probation eligible

Entry Process:

• BHC screening may take place prior to resentencing if requested by judge, district attorney, defense attorney or probation officer.
• Once probation gathers information, coordinator will initially screen referrals to ensure that referred individual meets minimum criteria.
• If referred individual does meet initial minimum criteria, the district attorney will review for legal criteria.
• If referred individual does meet initial minimum criteria, BHC specialist will conduct a clinicial evaluation.
• The coordinator will notify the Court and referring party of the referrals eligibility status.
• If accepted into the program, the BHC program will become one sentencing option for the Court at the time of sentencing. Acceptance into the program does not mean automatic sentence into the program.

For more information, please contact the Problem-Solving Court Coordinators, Russell Marsitto or Brigitte Smith:  

     01PSC@judicial.state.co.us