Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice Division (RJD)
Frank Crowley Courts Building - 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, LB 19, Dallas, TX 75207
Telephone: (214) 653-3600 • Fax: (214) 653-5774
The Restorative Justice Division (RJD) is dedicated to changing the face of traditional prosecution. Assistant District Attorneys either serve in the Mental Health Division or in Felony Pre-Trial Diversion Programs for Dallas County.
The mission of the Mental Health Division is to find alternatives to jail for defendants in custody due to their diagnosed mental illness. Our primary goals are to identify good candidates for mental health diversion programs or Mental Health Pre-Trial Intervention Agreements (also known as a PTIs). PTIs are tailor-made to each defendant’s specific mental health and/or substance use disorder needs to give them the education and tools needed to avoid re-entry into the criminal justice system and to live a successful life.
If substance use is the primary issue, even though the defendant may have mental health diagnosis, they may be better suited for a pre-trial diversion program outside of the mental health division. Defendants who have a mental health diagnosis and that mental health diagnosis is the primary issue or reason for entering the criminal justice system are candidates we seek. However, no case will be taken, regardless of a defendant’s mental illness, if we believe the safety of the citizens of Dallas County would be compromised by accepting the case. All decisions made and all actions taken by the Mental Health Division will be to see that justice is done.
To make a general referral to the Mental Health Division, please use the following:
Please note the referral forms must be returned in person to the Mental Health Division on the 6th Floor.
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Please text HOME to 741741 from your mobile device
- Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas: 214-828-1000
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- 24/7/365 Crisis Hotline: Call 775-784-8090 or Text ANSWER to 839863
- North Texas Behavioral Health Authority - https://ntbha.org/
24/7 Mobile Crisis Hotline: 1-866-260-8000
For Services/Eligibility 214-366-9407 or toll free: 877-653-6363 - Mental Health Warrant
District Attorney John Creuzot recognizes that not all cases and not all circumstances are the same. Using a validated risk/need assessment tool allows some cases to be referred to the Pre-Trial Specialty Courts or for Pre-Trial Intervention Agreements. We can identify the roots of problems and address the underlying reasons why someone may have committed a crime to help that person get back on track.
Felony Pre-Trial Diversion Process
The Criminal Justice Department is partnering with the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to provide risk and need assessments for offenders who are eligible for pre-adjudication diversion. This robust referral process will focus on first-time, non-violent offenders. There is no cost for the assessment, but offenders must sign a waiver granting permission to conduct the assessment. Referrals MUST be submitted either pre-indictment or within 120 days of indictment.
How do I know if I am eligible?
- Our eligibility criteria is contained in this Pre-Trial Diversion Program Checklist
What are the benefits of Pre-Trial Diversion?
Upon successful completion of a Pre-Trial Diversion Court or Program, the charge will be dismissed, and participants are eligible to apply for expunction.
The Criminal Justice Department conducts a validated Risk Needs Assessment to recommend appropriate program placement. The Risk Needs Assessment guides recommendations for appropriate placement based on an individual’s level of risk and needs.
You need to complete the below form to proceed with an assessment:
- Download the Pre-Trial Diversion Referral Form
- Email completed Pre-Trial Diversion Referral Form to JailDiversion@dallascounty.org
- Referral forms can also be submitted in person on the 8th floor with the Criminal Justice Department.
The recommendation from the assessment can be for a Felony Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement or a referral to a Pre-Trial Specialty Court.
What is a Felony Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement (PTI)?
A Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) is a form of managing cases appropriate for some first offenders. It gives offenders a way to atone for their transgressions without many of the lingering effects of a deferred adjudication or conviction.
The overriding benefit of Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement is an opportunity to rehabilitate and observe an offender over an extended period while leaving open the successful offender’s ability to expunge his record.
The terms and conditions of Pre-Trial Intervention Agreements are based upon the clinical assessment conducted by the Dallas County Criminal Justice Department. A PTI can be three, six or twelve months, depending on the recommendations from the clinical assessment. It is up to the participant to complete all conditions in a timely manner.
How do I sign up for a Felony PTI?
Following the recommendation from the assessment, the attorney for the defendant will be contacted by the PTI Attorney who will draft the terms of the PTI based upon recommendation from the assessment. Terms may include things such as periodic drug testing, education or program requirements, and verification of employment.
What are Felony Pre-Trial Specialty Courts?
Prosecutors in the various Dallas County Specialty Courts shed their normal adversarial role and work with Judges, defense attorneys, community corrections case managers, law enforcement and treatment partners to provide judicially supervised regimen of treatment and innovative case management to substance use disorder/mental health offenders with the goal of returning sober, law abiding residents to the community thereby closing the “revolving door” in the criminal justice system.
Below is a list of the Pre-Trial Diversion Specialty Courts:
| Court Name | Judge | Description | Video Overview |
| AIM Court Achieve, Inspire, Motivate |
Riley | Youthful Offender Court 17-24 yr old first-time felony non-aggravated case |
|
| SET Court Stabilization, Engagement, Transition MHJD Court Mental Health Jail Diversion |
Wade | Felony mental health court Misdemeanor mental health court |
|
| DIVERT Court DIVersion & Expedited Rehabilitation & Treatment |
Garza Autry |
Adult Drug Court First time felony non-aggravated offender who has substance use disorder diagnosis |
|
| Veterans Treatment Court | Collins | For Veterans eligible to receive VA benefits; misd or felony cases; must have mental health or drug dependence caused or worsened by military service https://www.dallascounty.org/government/veterans-court/ |
N/A |
For Post Plea Specialty Court Information: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/cscd/programs.php
Other Diversionary Programming
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office also offers Pre-Trial Interventions for Misdemeanor offenses.
First-time offenders who elect to participate in the Pre-Trial Intervention program will:
- Contact the Assistant District Attorney in the assigned court for eligibility review.
- Sign an Agreement.
- Pay the fees if not approved for waiver or reduction.
- Complete the requirements of the program.
- Return proof of the completion of the classes or evaluation to the probation officer.
- Assistant District Attorney completes and submits a dismissal.
The Misdemeanor Prostitution Pre-Trial Intervention Program offers services to individuals charged with prostitution or those who have a history of prostitution or are at risk for human trafficking. The STAR Pre-Trial Intervention Program aims to address the needs of those charged with felony prostitution offenses and who may have been commercially sexually exploited. Both programs provide services to help them exit this lifestyle and obtain the skills to be physically, emotionally and financially independent.
What is a Felony Prostitution PTI?
All Felony Prostitution cases (no matter the criminal history) are offered a Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement with the condition that the defendant completes the STAR Court program. The goal is for women to gain stability and safety.
STAR court is a Specialty Court that provides intensive supervision, innovative case management and treatment to persons deemed high risk/high needs that have also been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder or substance abuse issue and have a history of prostitution.
What is a Misdemeanor Prostitution PTI?
All Misdemeanor Prostitution cases are offered a 90-120 day Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement with connection to appropriate services to help the defendant make positive lifestyle changes and exiting the life of prostitution.
How do I apply for a Felony or Misdemeanor Prostitution PTI?
We strive to proactively identify potential cases at our intake level and offer Pre-Trial Intervention Agreements. For information, please contact PTIAttorney@dallascounty.org.
What are the benefits of a Prostitution PTI?
Upon successful completion of the program, the charge will be dismissed, and participants are eligible to immediately apply for expunction.
Is there a program for male consumers?
Solicitors, Traffickers, and Offenders of Prostitution (STOP) is an 8-hour class offered quarterly at Health and Human Services for MALE CONSUMERS ONLY charged with the purchase of sex or Solicitation of Prostitution. The STOP Class can be one condition of probation or pre-trial intervention agreement. The class consists of multiple community agencies partnering together to provide education to consumers only of the sex industry trade. The class requires HIV and STD testing and includes the various components: Community Impact, Victim Impact, Health Facts and required HIV/STD Testing, Prostitution Laws & Street Facts, The Offender’s Profile, Belief Systems, & Sex Addiction, and Personal Testimonials from both the Supply and Demand Sides of the Trade. For additional class information and registration please refer to the following website, http://www.pdinewlife.org/d-o-p-e-school/.
DALLAS DEFLECTS is an alternative to arresting individuals suffering from mental illness who have committed certain low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses. The Dallas County Deflection Center is scheduled to open in August 2022.
The Dallas County Jail is the 2nd largest mental health facility in the State of Texas.
- The vast majority of these individuals are homeless.
- This incarceration is inhumane and it is not cost effective
- It creates an opportunity for our law enforcement agencies (LEA’s) to interact with these individuals and take them directly to Dallas Deflects instead of arresting them.
Dallas County Deflection Center Ribbon Cutting
L to R: Restorative Justice Department Chief Julie M. Turnbull, Marsha Edwards, DA John Creuzot, ADA Kim Nesbitt, and ADA Kendall McKimmey.
L to R: Homeward Bound Exec. Director Doug Denton, Homeward Bound Chairman Jesse Oliver, Commissioner John Wiley Price, DA John Creuzot, NTBHA CEO Carol Lucky, Commissioner Theresa Daniel, Bishop Edward J. Burns, and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
- Keep persons charged with certain low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses from entering the criminal justice system.
- Initially, only those charged with criminal trespass.
- Reduce costs associated with repeatedly jailing individuals suffering from mental illness.
- Reduce the number of psychiatric emergency visits.
- 24-48 hour observation and short-term crisis respite beds.
- Integrated care and individual treatment plans to assist with stabilization.
- Comprehensive discharge plan with stabilization.
- A warm handoff to the appropriate level of care, i.e., detox, transitional housing.
- Peer support workers greet upon arrival.
- Individuals with a shared experience of mental health and recovery are there to advocate and assist.
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