This story is second in a series on the Mental Health Diversion program and is supported by a USC fellowship.
Seven years ago, a 48-year-old Paradise area man was charged with misdemeanor assault with a vehicle. A medical report issued a few days after the incident stated that he was diagnosed with “bipolar disorder, mixed episode, with psychotic features.”
A year later, his attorney told him about the newly launched Mental Health Diversion program (MHD), which allows some mentally ill defendants to receive court-ordered mental health treatment instead of serving jail time. Successful completion of the program can lead to dismissal of charges. The man, who identified only as “John” in order to protect his privacy, applied.