New Mexico lawmakers discuss treating mental illness to reduce crime [Video]

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – It’s a problem that New Mexico has been dealing with for years: people committing crimes and then being found incompetent to stand trial over and over again.

To address the problem, the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee within the New Mexico Legislature discussed possible changes to mental health law in New Mexico on Wednesday. Specifically, officials talked about how assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) can be used to curb low-level, non-violent crime. AOT is a civil court procedure that makes sure a person with mental illness receives the right treatment and is monitored.

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Currently, New Mexico law does permit AOT, however, there is a clause that allows counties and municipalities to opt out. “Most of the counties in New Mexico and municipalities are not participating,” said Megan Dorsey, consultant for Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee

Betsy Johnson with the Treatment Advocacy Centersuggested that lawmakers remove the “opt out” clause. Johnson and the …