Frequently Asked Questions

Participants are required to:         1. Follow a treatment plan.         2. Comply with all court ordered conditions.         3. Obey the terms of supervision.         4. Attend regular court appearances.  Read Full Answer

The defendant must be a resident of Douglas County, Kansas.The defendant must be 18 years of age or older.The defendant meets the criteria for several mental illnesses.  Read Full Answer

The goals of BHC are as follows:Connect criminal defendants who suffer from serious mental illness to treatment and support services in the community.Help improve coordination between the mental health and justice systems for persons with mental illness.Reduce participant days spent in jail and reduce the potential for further interactions with the criminal justice system.Improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Read Full Answer

Upon successful completion of the Behavioral Health Court program, the court will dismiss the participant's charges, and the participant will be eligible to petition for immediate expungement of the arrest. Read Full Answer

While each case is considered individually, people with the following offenses will typically be excluded from BHC:Felony sex offenses.Unresolved out of county charges.Murder and Manslaughter charges.Unresolved KDOC holds. Discharge of a firearm charges.D.U.I. charges. Read Full Answer

Behavioral Health Court will accept referrals after the filing of criminal charges and the case has been forwarded to the Douglas County District Court for further disposition. Read Full Answer