The mission of the Adult Mental Health Court (AMHC) is to reduce recidivism and promote community safety by supporting treatment, stability, and accountability for individuals living with a qualifying mental health condition or intellectual and developmental disability. Under the judicial supervision of Judge Jennifer Edgeworth and Judge Lance Baxter, the program is designed to connect participants with meaningful resources and compassionate support that foster emotional well-being, personal growth, and long-term success. Through the integration of therapeutic services with the criminal justice process, the program seeks to address underlying needs, encourage recovery, and empower participants to build heathier, more stable lives. 

Providing a Judicial Alternative for Justice-Involved Individuals with Mental Health Conditions

The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice is a complex and growing concern. Mental Health Courts have emerged nationwide as an innovative response, offering a therapeutic alternative to traditional prosecution. In the late 1990s, only a handful of these courts existed; today, more than 150 are in operation, with many more under development.

In Collin County, the District Attorney's Office, the 219^th District Court, and County Court at Law #3 have collaborated to establish the Adult Mental Health Court, a specialized diversion program for justice-involved individuals living with a qualifying mental health condition. The goal of this program is to redirect participants away from the traditional criminal justice process and into pathways that emphasize treatment, accountability, and long-term recovery.

Upon successful completion, participants may have their pending criminal case(s) dismissed and become eligible for immediate expunction – allowing them the opportunity to move forward with stability, dignity and renewed purpose. 

Program Structure

With the consent of District Attorney Greg Willis and the participation of his staff, the AMHC operates as a pretrial diversion program that provides eligible participants the opportunity to have their criminal case(s) dismissed and their record expunged upon successful completion.

The program is designed to be completed in three structured phases, lasting approximately 9 months to 2 years, depending on individual progress and treatment needs. Throughout participation, individuals engage in consistent judicial and team oversight intended to support accountability, stability and recovery.

• Phase One: Participants attend court hearings with the judges and AMHC team twice per month and meet with their supervision officer twice per month.
• Phase Two: Participants continue to meet with their supervision officer twice per month and appear in court once per month.
• Phase Three: Participants met with their supervision officer once per month and continue monthly court appearances.

In addition to judicial supervision, each participant follows a personalized treatment plan developed in collaboration with mental health professionals. This plan may include therapy, psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and other supportive services based on individual needs. The judges and multidisciplinary team work closely with participants to ensure their mental health needs are being met and, when appropriate, may assist in identifying or providing financial resources to support continued engagement in care. ​

Criteria for Participation

• Qualifying Mental Health Diagnosis: Must have a diagnoses recognized in the DSM-5, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and/or schizoaffective disorder.
• Voluntary Participation: Enrollment is voluntary. Participants must agree to follow all program requirements and engage actively in treatment and supervision.
• Pending Collin County Case: Applicant must have an active criminal case filed in Collin County and currently be out on bond. Only pending charges are eligible for consideration.
• Residency: Applicants must currently reside in Collin County. Residency refers to the physical address where the individual is living.​​​​​​

​Eligibility Limitations

• ​​History of manufacturing or distributing illegal or synthetic drugs
• Current DWI – related charge
• Residing outside of Collin County
• Prior conviction for a 3G offense
• Prior conviction for manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance
• History of or current sexual offense
• Pending charges or outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions
• Currently on deferred or adjudicated community supervision (probation or parole)

Program Benefits

• ​Individualized Treatment: Each participant receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific mental health and wellness needs.
• Accountability and Support: Participants receive ongoing guidance and accountability to help ensure consistent attendance and active engagement in treatment and recovery services.
• Employment and Education Assistance: Support is provided to help participants pursue job opportunities, educational advancement, and vocational skills development.
• Health and Life Skills Development: Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills and strengthen overall physical and emotional well-being.
• Community and Family Engagement: The program fosters connection with supportive family, peers, and community resources to promote sustained recovery.
• Legal Resolution: Upon successful completion of the program, participants may be eligible for dismissal of their pending criminal case(s) and expungement of their record, providing an opportunity for a fresh start.​
  

Admission Process

Admission into the Adult Mental Health Court follows a structured three-step process designed to ensure that each applicant is appropriately screened, fully informed, and voluntarily committed to participation. The process includes Preliminary Approval, a Screening Appointment, and final Staffing and Admission.

Preliminary Approval: Upon receipt of an application, the Program Coordinator and Assistant District Attorney review the submitted materials – including supporting medical documentation – to determine whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for the program. All applicants must be reviewed and approved by the District Attorney's Office before proceeding to the next step of the process.

Screening Appointment: The screening appointment is an in-person meeting between the applicant, the Program Coordinator, the applicant's defense counsel, and the Supervision Officer. This meeting provides an opportunity to ensure that the applicant fully understands the program's expectations, requirements, and legal implications of participation in the program. Because AMHC is a voluntary diversion program, applicants are encouraged to ask questions and carefully consider whether participation aligns with their treatment goals, personal needs, and long-term recovery.

Staffing and Admission: During staffing, the AMHC judges and multidisciplinary team review the applicant's case details and the information provided during the screening. The team makes a collective decision regarding admission, taking into account both community safety and the applicant's clinical and rehabilitative needs.

Following the staffing, the Program Coordinator notifies the applicant's defense counsel via email of the team's decision. If accepted, the applicant will be instructed to attend the upcoming court docket that Thursday to begin participation in the program. If not accepted, the notification will include an explanation of the reason for non-admission. ​

​Click here to begin an application on the District Attorney's website.

Staff/Team Members

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