That's because you could be diverted to the nationally acclaimed Washoe County Mental Health Court, which has more than 300 clients, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie said. Its recidivism rate is less than 20 percent, she said.

Success of the mental health court underscores the need to improve the state's overall mental-health system, officials said.

"It makes good sense to target those in jail and use those resources to reduce prison time and stop the cycle of criminal behavior," said Leslie, D-Reno, the county's coordinator overseeing mental health and drug courts.

Defendants in mental health court participate in a yearlong program in which the state pays for rent, therapy and medication until they are deemed capable of living outside the court's supervision. Fewer than 20 percent are arrested again.

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