BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Brazos County is launching a new specialty court designed to help individuals in the criminal justice system whose underlying mental health conditions may be contributing to repeated legal trouble.
The Brazos County District Attorney’s Office announced the official launch of the RESTART Court this month. RESTART stands for Rehabilitation Skills for Transformation, Adaptation, and Resiliency.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the specialty court is intended to serve individuals with serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and those on the autism spectrum who are involved in the criminal justice system.
The program will be overseen by Judge David Hilburn of the 361st District Court and is being described as a collaborative effort involving the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office, Texas A&M University’s Department of Clinical Psychology, the Brazos County Adult Community Supervision Department, the Brazos County Public Defender’s Office, and Brazos Valley MHMR Authority.
District Attorney Jarvis Parsons said the goal is to address the root causes that often lead individuals back into the justice system.
“Effective prosecution requires more than just a conviction,” Parsons said in the release. “With this court, we hope to end the cycle of recidivism that mental health issues create in our jails.”
Texas A&M’s Department of Clinical Psychology will assist by conducting evaluations for potential participants and helping develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
Stephanie Younis, the District Attorney’s Office expert on mental health courts who helped develop the program, said the initiative is focused on long-term recovery and accountability.
“The criminal justice system is a point of last resort for individuals suffering from serious mental illness and their families,” Younis said. “Our goal is to provide a pathway where transformation is possible.”
Officials say participants in the program will be expected to comply with court-ordered treatment while receiving support services designed to help address barriers to recovery.
Brazos Valley MHMR will provide expertise in medication management and benefit navigation, while Texas A&M will contribute counseling resources and clinical support.
The launch of the RESTART Court marks a significant expansion in how Brazos County addresses mental health challenges within the criminal justice system, shifting focus toward treatment and rehabilitation alongside accountability.
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