Specialty Courts

The Public Defender represents many people in a variety of mental health proceedings. Attorneys represent persons involuntarily committed to mental institutions, persons unable or unwilling to consent to needed medications, and persons under conservatorship. Attorneys advocate on behalf of clients who are in need of mental health treatment in the following specialty courts. Eligibility and suitability are determined by individualized assessment.

Veteran's Treatment Court

The Veteran’s Treatment Court was implemented on June 17, 2016 to address the needs of military men and women who are charged with selected felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses in Fresno County. This is a collaborative effort between the Superior Court, Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation and Veteran’s Administration Central California Health Care System (VA), along with numerous law enforcement, veteran social service, and community organizations in an intense twelve to eighteen-month rehabilitation program.  Treatment is coordinated through the VA and includes ancillary services such as housing, education, and employment.

Behavioral Health Court

Behavioral Health Court is designed to deal with mentally ill offenders by pairing judicial oversight with community-based treatment plans. This specialty court is a collaboration between the Superior Court, Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation, and the Department of Behavioral Health. Participation in Behavioral Health Court is voluntary. The mission of the Behavioral Health Court is to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of criminal defendants who suffer from serious mental illness by connecting them to community treatment services.

Conservatorships

A Conservatorship is a court proceeding to appoint a Conservator for a person who is alleged to have a mental disability. A Conservatorship of the person is a protective relationship in which a Conservator is appointed by the court to act in the best interest of a gravely disabled individual to ensure that the basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are met, and if required, to provide the disabled individual with psychiatric care and treatment. A "permanent LPS Conservatorship" lasts one year and is renewable if the appropriate criteria are met and legal procedures followed.

Mental Health Diversion Court

Mental Health Diversion court is eligible for some criminal defendants who suffer from certain mental disorders. Attorneys work with the Court to determine eligibility and suitability for this specialty court. This court handles proceedings pursuant to Penal Code Section 1001.36.  Mental Health Diversion Fresno County

MIST Court

Misdemeanor incompetent to stand trial court is available for some defendants charged with misdemeanors who are not competent to stand trial. This collaborative court connects defendants with resources in the community to address mental health concerns. This court handles proceedings pursuant to Penal Code Section 1370.01.

The Public Defender represents many people in a variety of specialty courts. Attorneys represent persons who struggle with drug abuse issues, alcoholism as well as homelessness. Attorneys advocate on behalf of clients who need drug and alcohol treatment in the following specialty courts. Attorneys on the misdemeanor team handle the following misdemeanor specialty courts. Attorneys zealously advocate for their clients to create the best legal outcome while addressing substance abuse and other barriers to long term success.  Eligibility and suitability are determined by individualized assessment.

Drug Court

The Misdemeanor Drug Court became operational on September 14, 2015 in response to the passage of Prop 47. The Drug Court employs a non-adversarial, collaborative approach and offers an alternative to incarceration to those charged with a drug offense and dealing with drug abuse issues. National and local studies have consistently found drug courts to generate cost savings for the criminal justice system, decrease recidivism, and, most importantly, help participants return to a productive life.

Homeless Court

In 2023, the misdemeanor homeless court program was developed to include misdemeanor offenses. The Homeless Court employs a non-adversarial, collaborative approach and offers an alternative to incarceration to those charged with certain minor misdemeanor offenses and dealing with homelessness. The homeless court is an off-site court held at The Poverello House on a quarterly basis.

DUI Court

The Misdemeanor DUI Court employs a collaborative approach to those charged with driving under the influence.  This court is available to eligible defendants who are charged with their second or third misdemeanor DUI.  DUI court allows an individual to seek treatment for their alcohol addiction in order to decrease recidivism and increase public safety.