Mental Health Court

On October 4, 2012, Snohomish County District Court held its first mental health court hearing as part of an ongoing Pilot Project. 

The County’s Mental Health Court is a collaborative, problem-solving court designed to promote public safety and reduce recidivism among mental ill offenders through an intensive program of evaluation, treatment, and frequent monitoring of compliance.  Its goal is to bring long-term stability and safety to mental ill offenders while ensuring the security and well-being of the community.

Contact Information:

Assigned Judge: The Honorable Tam Bui
Snohomish County District Court, Everett Division
3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 508
Everett, Washington  98201

Clerk: Brandy Sawyer
425-388-3157
Fax (425) 388-3565
brandy.sawyer@co.snohomish.wa.us 

Referral Information to Mental Health Court:

1. If you believe that a case is appropriate for MHC, you can email a copy of the MHC Referral Form to the MHC Court Liaison Rochelle Moore at rmoore@bridgeways.org. 

2. To be referred to and to participate in MHC, a client must be legally competent.  Make sure any competency-related issues are resolved before referring your client to MHC.

3. Upon receiving the referral, the individual will be screened for legal and clinical eligibility.  Certain crimes such as DUI, physical control, any DV crime where the victim objects to MHC, communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, and assault IV with sexual motivation are presumed to be legally ineligible.  The individual must have a severe and persistent mental health diagnosis defined as an Axis I disorder in the DSM-IV Manual.   The individual must also be “amenable” to treatment. 

4. The MHC Court Team will staff each case to discuss the individual’s legal and clinical eligibility. 

5.  Mental Health Court Forms

  Mental Health Referral Form

  Mental Health Release Form