California Criminal Mental Health Manual: February 2026 (Edition 2.01)

Essential Law for attorneys, judges, conservators/public guardians or anyone else that wants to understand fundamental court processes addressing mental illness in criminal justice.This manual is an overview of the intersection of mental health and criminal law from a career prosecutor’s perspective. Almost three decades of experience, many mistakes and knowledge shared from colleagues provide the basis for this manual. It is a document that has evolved over time and continues to evolve. The Manual is organized broadly based upon the likely chronology of an issue occurring in a criminal case. The second edition includes a new chapter that addresses Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Extensions and Release (new Chapter 6). In addition, there have been significant updates to Conservatorships (Chapter 2).This manual includes chapters on Competency (Chapter 1), Conservatorships (Chapter 2), Civil Commitments for the Developmentally Disabled (Chapter 3), Mental Health Diversion (Chapter 4), Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Trial (Chapter 5), Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity – Extensions and Release (new Chapter 6), OMD - Involuntary Civil Commitments for Offenders with Mental Disorders (Chapter 7), and Firearm Petitions (Chapter 8). Read more