The New Jersey Judiciary Mental Health Diversion Pilot Program connects behavioral health teams to individuals with serious mental illness who face low level indictable charges. The goal is to provide treatment and services so that the charges could be dismissed.

Significant barriers for individuals with serious mental illness and criminal charges include quickly identifying their unmet social needs, such as housing, food and transportation, and offering support for treatment services such as therapy and medication options.

Through the behavioral health team with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the pilot program can connect individuals to these important community resources. This is particularly important for those released from jail or placed on pretrial monitoring.

Addressing critical needs early reduces the risk of individuals remaining in the criminal justice system.

The pilot program involves many stakeholders. In addition to the Department of Human Services, the Judiciary has partnered with county prosecutors, public defenders, criminal defense attorneys and jail medical providers.

The program is voluntary and presents an exceptional opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between government and community-based providers while giving people a chance to reclaim their lives.

Last Updated: 09/19/25