Some individuals with a mental disorder find themselves in a situation where their committing both minor and severe crimes, then end up incarcerated without receiving and getting help, support and the services they require.
Without adequate treatment while incarcerated or linkage to community service upon release, many people with mental disorders may cycle repeatedly through the criminal justice system. This frequent involvement with the criminal justice system can be devastating
for these individuals and their families and can also impact public safety and government spending. Clearly, the system between the mental health services and the local criminal justice system is overwhelmed and cannot meet the current needs. If offenders have
access to proper and adequate mental health treatment both in and out of jail, they will have a fighting chance of a functional life.
Seeing the need for a mental health court, Judge Monica Z. Notzon began a pilot Mental Health Court Program which included five offenders with mental disorders in January of 2012 and has now grown to include more than fifty offenders.
Judge Notzon began the collaborative effort with multidisciplinary agencies and launched the pilot mental health court to reduce the number of offenders with behavioral needs in the criminal justice system and in prisons and jails.
For more information or referral procedures please contact
Mr. Javier Gonzalez
Mental Health Coordinator
1110 Victoria Street, Ste. 301
Laredo, Texas 78040
Tel. (956) 523-4796
Fax (956) 523-5088
Mental Health Court Referral