San Diego: New court aims to help mentally ill criminals

For the first time in San Diego County, some mentally ill criminals will be diverted from jail to a closely supervised treatment program.

Assistant Presiding Judge Robert Trentacosta oversees the fledgling Behavioral Health Court in San Diego, and participants must report to him in person every month.

Trentacosta said the court is a compassionate response to a population whose mental illness drives their criminal life.