Judge Honored for Devotion to Mental Health Court Work

Judge John Mitchell speaks after receiving the Daniel T. Eismann Award May 7.

A longtime Idaho judge was recognized last week for a life of service focused on helping people in serious mental health crisis who end up before the courts.

Senior District Judge John Mitchell “is an exemplar of what a treatment court judge should be,” Justice Cynthia Meyer said while giving him the Daniel T. Eismann Award for Excellence in Treatment Courts.

Treatment courts use an evidence-based approach to help people with serious and persistent mental health or substance abuse issues find stability and recovery while still holding them accountable.

The Eismann Award recognizes a judge who, while leading a treatment court, demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment to the success of their team and participants. It is named after former Chief Justice Eismann, a pioneer in Idaho for drug courts and the first chair of the statewide Treatment Court Committee.

Judge Mitchell spent a long career serving north Idaho as a district judge. In September 2004 he founded the Kootenai County Mental Health Court, at the time just one of two such courts in the state. Across 20 years he guided hundreds of participants through the program with more than 230 graduating successfully before his retirement in January 2025. He became known for his inspiring approach, encouraging both participants and court staff to give their all to the program.

Even in retirement, Judge Mitchell has remained a resource for questions and advice. He continues to attend and celebrate graduations at his former mental health court along with other treatment court events.

“His patience, perseverance, compassion and determination have laid the solid foundation that allows the Kootenai County Mental Health Court to continue to flourish, and his contribution to Idaho treatment courts is beyond words,” Justice Meyer said.

Accepting the award, Judge Mitchell challenged everyone in attendance – from judges to court personnel – to get involved and support each other in treatment court work. “It produced 20 years of absolute joy helping people that are really struggling turn their lives around,” he said.

Learn more about Idaho’s state treatment courts at isc.idaho.gov/about-the-courts/treatment-courts.