Mental Health Diversion Evaluations

Dr. Selina Mangassarian provides forensic neuropsychological and psychological evaluations for mental health diversion proceedings under California Penal Code §1001.36. She is a paneled neuropsychologist and forensic psychologist with the Superior Court of California in both Los Angeles County and Ventura County, and has conducted diversion evaluations across a broad range of criminal matters. The inclusion of neuropsychological testing, when warranted, is one of the features that distinguishes Dr. Mangassarian’s diversion evaluations. In cases where cognitive factors are central to understanding the defendant’s behavior or treatment needs, this level of assessment provides the court with a more complete and scientifically supported foundation for its decision.

California Penal Code §1001.36 allows a court to grant mental health diversion to eligible defendants charged with most misdemeanor and felony offenses. When diversion is granted, criminal proceedings are suspended and the defendant is placed into a community-based mental health treatment program rather than proceeding to trial or sentencing. If the defendant successfully completes the treatment program, the charges are dismissed and the arrest may be sealed from their record as if it never occurred.

Diversion is designed to address the underlying mental health conditions that contributed to the criminal behavior, rather than addressing those conditions through incarceration. It represents a significant legal benefit and is a meaningful alternative for defendants whose mental health disorder played a role in the charged offense.

Questions Addressed

• Whether a qualifying mental health disorder is present and what the diagnosis is
• Whether and to what degree the mental health disorder played a significant role in the charged offense
• Whether the identified symptoms are likely to respond to mental health treatment, and what type of treatment is recommended
• Whether cognitive impairment, brain injury, intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental conditions, or other neuropsychological factors are relevant to the defendant’s presentation and functioning
• Whether the defendant poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety if treated in the community
• Validity of reported symptoms and whether findings reflect genuine impairment