Hays County Commissioners Court Establish Mental Health Specialty Court

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioner Court approved a resolution establishing a mental health court.

The resolution assigned Hays County Court at Law #3 as the Mental Health Specialty Court pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 121.

Judge Tacie Zelhart of County Court at Law #3 said, “People with mental illness and intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities are greatly overrepresented in our criminal justice system compared to the general population. These individuals often cycle in and out of our criminal justice system with little if any treatment.”

Zelhart said of the 27 million people who live in Texas, approximately 1 million experience mental illness; nearly 25 percent of the inmate population in the state of Texas has a mental health need.

Commissioners expressed their gratitude to Judge Zelhart for her efforts and willingness to help the court establish the Mental Health Specialty Court.

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said she thinks with the establishment of the Mental Health Specialty Court the county will be able to help more individuals and provide them with the help, services and programs they need.

Judge Ruben Becerra said he looks forward to this being one more “cog in the wheel” to put people in jail who should be there and take people out that ought not to be there.    

The mental health specialty court is operational as of Dec. 10, 2019.