The Office of Behavioral Health services the mentally ill who become involved with the court system. Mentally ill individuals come to the court through two legal processes: the criminal justice system and the mental health system. The office assists in the Rule 11 process, a process that determines whether a criminal defendant is competent to stand trial and other court ordered mental health evaluations. Staff from the Office of Behavioral Health makes appointments with Mental Health Professionals and disseminates their reports to the appropriate attorneys. Staff tracks these cases to ensure the reports are timely and meet the statutory requirements.
The Behavioral Health Office coordinates the Court Ordered Evaluation process (also known as Title 36). Staff will locate an in-patient placement for persons in a mental health crisis for Court Ordered Evaluation (COE) and authorize payment for these services. Depending on the results of the evaluation, the person will either be released and have no further court involvement or go through a hearing for Court Ordered Treatment (COT). The placement and services are monitored by the office to ensure that the individual is receiving the treatment that has been ordered.
The office provides oversight for the programs that are used by the Courts or contracted by Pinal County. They authorize payments, mediate problems and develop options for individuals in the system. They also work collaboratively with human service providers, community members, and government agencies to develop the mental health system of care in Pinal County.