Orange County Register-

Wedged between discussions about MediCal and diabetes prevention is a primer on how to saturate our communities with felons who have had mental health problems. This radical new law is contained in the omnibus health trailer budget bill, Assembly Bill 1810, but it has little to do with health.

The little-known bill was signed June 27, inserted into unrelated legislation at the last minute by an unknown author. That gives even more felons a get-out-of-jail-free card.

It works like this: while awaiting trial, defendants claim that their crimes were committed because of a mental health issue and they get an agreement from the judge that they can go through diversion. Diversion is normally a way of working off a sentence. But in this case, the criminal would presumably receive counseling and if it was deemed “successful,” his or her record would be sealed as if the crime never happened. The criminal would walk out of court free and clear.

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