A California Superior Court judge has granted mental health diversion to Riddhi Patel, the activist accused of threatening members of the Bakersfield City Council, a decision that shifts her case from traditional criminal prosecution to court-supervised treatment, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The case stems from an April 10, 2024, Bakersfield City Council meeting, where Patel spoke during public comment.

She criticized council members for not adopting a Gaza cease-fire resolution. After finishing her remarks, Patel told council members, “We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you.”

Patel was immediately arrested and charged under California law with numerous counts related to “intent to terrorize” and “criminal threats.”

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Prosecutors initially filed 16 felony counts, which later increased to 21 as the case moved forward.

Her bail was first set at $2 million and later reduced to $500,000. Patel was released pending additional court proceedings.

In late 2025 and early 2026, Patel’s defense team sought to qualify her for California’s mental health diversion program. The program allows certain defendants to be diverted from standard prosecution if specific criteria are met.

Under the law, a court may approve diversion if a qualified professional diagnoses a clinically significant mental disorder, the disorder significantly contributed to the alleged criminal conduct, and the condition is likely to respond to treatment.

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Mental health diversion differs from traditional prosecution in that it focuses on treatment and rehabilitation rather than deterrence or incarceration. The program is typically used in cases involving serious psychological disorders.

After two rounds of psychological evaluations—one conducted in November and another in January—Kern County Superior Court Judge John Brownlee ruled that Patel is eligible and suitable for mental health diversion.

As a result of the ruling, Patel will enter a court-supervised mental health treatment program instead of proceeding toward trial on the 21 felony charges.

If she successfully completes the program and complies with its terms, the charges against her could be dismissed.

Patel is scheduled to appear in court again on March 6, 2026, for a status hearing and progress report regarding her participation in the diversion program.

The decision has drawn attention because it redirects a case involving threats against elected officials into a treatment framework rather than continuing under the standard criminal process.

Public safety advocates previously argued that Patel’s remarks crossed legal lines and warranted accountability through prosecution.

With the diversion order now in place, the case will move forward under supervision tied to mental health treatment rather than through a conventional felony trial.

The outcome of the program will determine whether the 21 felony charges remain on her record or are dismissed.

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