top of page

The CNMI Judiciary recognizes treatment courts and dockets as an effective way to address community needs through the justice system. Treatment courts and dockets provide judicially supervised, community-based treatment programs. On July 3, 2021, the NMI Supreme Court created the Mental Health Court Docket Program (MHCD) through Administrative Order 2021-ADM-0010-RUL. It brings together criminal justice agencies and mental health professionals to identify and treat participants with serious mental illness. The MHCD is composed of the following stakeholders:

  • CHCC - Psychiatry and Transitional Living Center;

  • Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja;

  • Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio;

  • Office of the Public Defender;

  • Office of the Attorney General;

  • Court Personnel;

  • Department of Corrections; and

  • Department of Public Safety.

menatl-health-awareness.jpg

The MHCD program is a voluntary program that provides a holistic evidence-based approach. To be eligible for the program, a person must:

  • At least 18 years of age;

  • A United States citizen or legal resident;

  • Legally competent;

  • have a serious mental health diagnosis or exhibit symptoms of an undiagnosed serious mental illness or intellectual and developmental disability;

  • agree to treatment, take any and all prescribed medication in the manner prescribed, and follow all Team treatment recommendations;

  • Has a pending criminal charge;

  • If there are any restitution fees, the amount is less than $5,000;

  • Must not have been convicted of a dangerous offense within the past 10 years;

  • Must not have a sentence imposed which renders the applicant ineligible for probation, whether as a result of a plea or a finding of guilt; and

  • voluntarily agree to participate in the program.

bottom of page