Therapeutic Courts

Regional Mental Health Courts (RMHC)

What criteria are used for someone’s case to be handled by the Regional Mental Health Court? Severe and persistent mental illness.

Who refers cases to the Regional Mental Health Court? District Court, Superior Court, and all cities within King County.

What can these courts recommend? Stipulated order of continuances, deferred and suspended sentences. 

What is the duration of the court’s supervision? Up to 24 months active supervision. Compliance monitoring up to 60 months on DUI and DV cases. 

Regional Veterans Court (RVC)

What criteria are used for someone’s case to be handled by the Regional Veterans Court? Behavioral Health Diagnosis & discharged either "Honorably" or "Generally" under honorable conditions (aka: eligible for VA benefits).

Who refers cases to the Regional Veterans Court? District Court, Superior Court and all cities within King County.

What can these courts recommend? Stipulated order of continuances, deferred and suspended sentences. 

What is the duration of the court’s supervision? Up to 24 months active supervision.  Compliance monitoring up to 60 months on DUI and DV cases.

Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion (CARD)

What criteria are used for someone’s case to be handled by the Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion group? Cases where the State does not have a compelling governmental interest in obtaining a conviction and does not need active supervision.

• All nonviolent offenses except for stalking and UPFA 

• No sex offenses other than FTR

• Non intimate partner Domestic Violence cases   

• All non-felony Domestic Violence cases

Who refers cases to CARD? District Court Unit, Domestic Violence unit and Felony Trial Unit.

What can CARD recommend? Treatment plan will be developed by CARD clinicians and will take into account factors that contributed to the individual being involved in the criminal justice system.

What is the duration of CARD’s supervision? Individualized based on ongoing compliance and engagement with treatment and housing.