The Behavioral Health DWI Court has been serving the community since May of 2016. 

The mission of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Behavioral Health DWI Court is to improve public safety and reduce recidivism through a comprehensive, collaborative, multi-disciplinary team approach for participants with mental illness and substance abuse disorders (co-occurring disorders). Through accessible and quality treatment and support services, the court provides participants the opportunity to transition into a life of stability and to improve their quality of life.

The Honorable Brittany Maldonado Malott is the presiding judge and leads a multidisciplinary team consisting of an assistant district attorney, public defender, probation officer, case manager and treatment providers. To be eligible, adults must have been charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses filed in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, volunteer to join the court, and have a diagnosis of a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness.

Participants meet with the judge for status hearings on a regular basis, undergo frequent and random drug and alcohol testing, meet with an assigned probation officer, and engage in treatment. Other requirements are in place to assist the participants in achieving sustained sobriety and a reduction in symptoms of mental illness. A primary goal of the Behavioral Health DWI Court is to enhance public safety through eliminating future instances of impaired driving.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Metropolitan Court Behavioral Health Division at (505) 938-4272.