SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A prosecutor opposed a public defender’s request to transfer an accused person from jail to a mental health treatment facility during a Friday hearing in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, despite the defense citing the accused’s mental health needs, limited criminal history and three months in custody.
The accused faced charges of disorderly conduct and receiving stolen property.
During the Oct. 23 hearing in Department 2 of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Deputy Public Defender Megan Leisz requested that the accused be released from custody once a bed became available at a mental health treatment facility.
Leisz acknowledged the concerns surrounding the charges, stating that she “understand[s] why these offenses are concerning,” but explained that the accused was currently being held in a behavioral health unit while in custody.
The defense pointed to the accused’s pretrial report, which indicated that his only prior offense was a petty theft conviction in another state in 2016.
According to Leisz, the accused had no additional criminal offenses on his record in the decade since that conviction.
Leisz also directed the court’s attention to statements made by the complaining witness concerning the accused’s behavior at the time of the alleged offense.
The complaining witness reportedly described the accused as “acting manic and short-tempered,” with Leisz explaining that “mental health symptoms [were] noted by the [complaining witness].”
The defense argued for placement in a mental health facility rather than continued incarceration, citing the accused’s circumstances and the availability of treatment.
At the time of the hearing, the accused had been in custody since July 22, 2026, approximately three months.
The prosecution opposed the proposed release, arguing that the accused posed a “threat to the community.”
Despite the prosecution’s objection, Judge Maxwell indicated that the court would begin the process of determining whether a bed was available at an appropriate mental health facility.
However, Maxwell did not authorize the accused’s immediate release.
Instead, the judge scheduled a follow-up hearing for the following Thursday to review bed availability before making a determination about the proposed placement.
The accused remained in custody pending that hearing.
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