03/06/2026
March is National Criminal Justice month, and NAMI is providing resources and advocacy this month. Here is valuable information that NAMI Texas Panhandle, the Amarillo Area Mental Health Consumers (Agape Center), and other local mental health advocates put together for folks in our area. Know your right to be diverted to treatment rather than jail!
IF YOU ARE DETAINED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT DUE TO MENTAL ILLNESS / SUBSTANCE USE
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Article 16.23. Diversion of Persons Suffering Mental Health Crisis or Substance Abuse Issue
(a) Each law enforcement agency shall make a good faith effort to divert a person suffering a mental health crisis or suffering from the effects of substance abuse to a proper treatment center in the agency's jurisdiction if:
(1) there is an available and appropriate treatment center in the agency's jurisdiction to which the agency may divert the person;
(2) it is reasonable to divert the person;
(3) the offense that the person is accused of is a misdemeanor, other than a misdemeanor involving violence; and
(4) the mental health crisis or substance abuse issue is suspected to be the reason the person committed the alleged offense.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a person who is accused of an offense under Section 49.04, 49.045, 49.05, 49.06, 49.061, 49.065, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code.
Local Diversion Center for Voluntary Outpatient Services Instead of Jail:
RESET Center, 6600 Killgore Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106,
806-349-5645
Person-Centered Outpatient Services for People 18 Years Old and Up. No Charges Filed for Participants.
The Potter County District Attorney has approved the use of this center for Criminal Trespass, Drug Paraphernalia Possession Class C, Disorderly Conduct, Theft Class C, Class C Warrants, Terroristic Threat when mentally ill
