SET Program

Frank Crowley Courts Building - 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, LB 19, Dallas, TX 75207
Telephone: (214) 653-3600 • Fax: (214) 653-5774


A DA Driven Pre-Trial Diversion Program for Mentally Ill Offenders


SET logo

The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office established the SET Program to ensure that individuals with both criminal charges and a qualifying mental health diagnosis are identified and assessed, and receive the support needed to lead meaningful and satisfying lives.

SET is a prosecutor-led, felony mental health diversion program available to Dallas County residents diagnosed with at least one of the following mental health diagnoses: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. It is funded by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and the SET prosecutor is responsible for determining eligibility and approving potential participants.

SET is a court-supervised program made up of a team consisting of the Judge, prosecutor, public defender, supervision officer, Metrocare case manager and substance abuse caseworker. The Team works together to create an individualized treatment plan for each participant based on an assessment of his or her needs pertaining to mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, case management services and housing. SET is held in County Criminal Court of Appeals No. 1 at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday, with Judge Kristin Wade presiding.

SET is a three-phase program that lasts between twelve and eighteen months. The three phases are: Stabilization, Engagement and Transition. The amount of time spent in the program, along with eligibility to move up to a different phase, is determined by an individual’s progress in treatment. While a participant is involved in the program, the Judge and SET Team will monitor his or her progress. Discharge, termination or voluntary withdrawal from the program will result in sanctions determined by the SET Team.

To qualify, a potential candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Dallas County resident
  • Have an unadjudicated (pre-plea) felony charge
  • Be diagnosed with one of the following mental illnesses: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder to be funded through NTBHA (low-income)
  • Be willing to exclusively accept Metrocare as his or her mental health treatment provider
  • Be willing to undergo regular drug testing, and if clinically indicated, participate in substance abuse treatment
  • Comply with taking all prescribed medications as directed
  • Attend all psychiatric appointments as scheduled
  • During the first phase, be willing to: attend court weekly, report to case manager weekly, report to supervision officer weekly
  • During the second phase, be willing to: attend court weekly or every other week (as determined by the SET Team), report to case manager weekly, report to supervision officer no less than two times per month
  • During the third phase, be willing to: attend court weekly or every other week (as determined by the SET Team), report to case manager weekly, report to supervision officer no less than one time per month

Disqualifying circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Murder or Manslaughter cases
  • Sexual Assault cases
  • First-degree drug cases
  • Crimes against Children cases
  • Case currently set for trial or other disposition
  • Currently on probation
  • Pending felony charge in another jurisdiction
  • Any case denied by the SET Team

After advancing through all three phases, the participant will graduate from the program and the case(s) will be dismissed and are eligible for immediate expungement.

 

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