Riddhi Patel faced 21 felony counts and was granted mental health diversion after threatening Bakersfield City Council members at an April 10, 2024 meeting. On February 5, 2026, a Kern County judge placed her into a treatment program under California Penal Code Section 1001.36. If she completes it, every one of the felony charges against her will be dismissed and the arrest will be treated under state law as if it never happened.1KGET. Riddhi Patel Set for Diversion Hearing Thursday
What She Said at the April 2024 Meeting
Patel, then 28, spoke twice during the public comment period at the Bakersfield City Council meeting on April 10, 2024. She had been urging the council to adopt a ceasefire resolution related to the war in Gaza. During her second turn at the microphone, she told council members: “I remind you that these holidays that we practice, that other people in the global south practice, believe in violent revolution against their oppressors, and I hope one day somebody brings a guillotine and kills all of you.” She added: “You guys want to criminalize us with metal detectors. We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you.”2Indian Express. Protester Held for Threats at Bakersfield City Council Meeting
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh ordered her arrest from the dais, saying: “Miss Patel, that was a threat, what you said at the end, so the officers will escort you out and take care of that.”3The Jerusalem Post. Bakersfield Protester Arrested After Threatening City Council
The 21 Felony Counts
Patel was initially booked on 16 felony charges: eight counts of threatening with intent to terrorize and eight counts of threatening public officials.2Indian Express. Protester Held for Threats at Bakersfield City Council Meeting By arraignment, the count had grown to 18 felonies, including 10 counts of threatening with intent to terrorize, two counts of attempted threats with intent to terrorize, and eight counts of threatening elected officials.4The Bakersfield Californian. Judge Decides Bakersfield City Council Won’t Testify in Riddhi Patel’s Preliminary Hearing The final total reached 21 felony counts.1KGET. Riddhi Patel Set for Diversion Hearing Thursday
She pleaded not guilty. Bail was initially set at $2 million and later reduced to $500,000.523ABC News. Bakersfield Woman Who Threatened City Council Ordered to Undergo Second Mental Health Exam She was released from the Lerdo jail facility on the evening of April 16, 2024, after roughly six days in custody.6San Joaquin Valley Sun. Riddhi Patel Released From Jail After Threatening to Murder Bakersfield City Council Judge David Wolf ordered her to surrender her passport, remain in California, wear a GPS monitor, and stay at least 500 yards from city buildings and the officials named as victims.723ABC News. Woman Who Allegedly Threatens to Murder Bakersfield City Council Members Pleads Not Guilty
At the preliminary hearing, Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans argued that police had “misrepresented or mischaracterized” statements from council members during recorded interviews, contending that some officials expressed concern about the remarks without describing genuine fear or treating the threats as credible. He also raised free speech arguments about “different degrees of protected free speech” separating incitement from criminal threats. Judge Brian McNamara denied his request to have council members testify at the preliminary hearing, reserving that testimony for a jury trial.4The Bakersfield Californian. Judge Decides Bakersfield City Council Won’t Testify in Riddhi Patel’s Preliminary Hearing
How Mental Health Diversion Works in Her Case
Rather than take the case to trial, the defense filed a motion under California Penal Code Section 1001.36. The statute allows a court to pause criminal proceedings and place a defendant into treatment when the defendant has a diagnosed mental disorder that was a significant factor in the charged offense, a qualified expert believes the symptoms will respond to treatment, the defendant consents, and the court finds the defendant does not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety. For felony charges, diversion can last up to two years.8FindLaw. California Penal Code Section 1001.36
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office opposed the motion.923ABC News. Mental Health Diversion Granted in City Council Threat Case A first mental health evaluation was ordered in November 2025. The prosecution then sought a second opinion, which a judge granted in December 2025. Patel underwent that second examination in January 2026.523ABC News. Bakersfield Woman Who Threatened City Council Ordered to Undergo Second Mental Health Exam
On February 5, 2026, Kern County Judge John R. Brownlee ruled that Patel was “eligible and suitable” for the program and granted diversion.10Bakersfield Now. Mental Health Diversion Granted for Riddhi Patel Evans confirmed that Patel had been diagnosed with a “qualifying mental health disorder.” The specific diagnosis has not been made public, and the hearing itself was closed under a prior ruling.11South Kern Sol. Kern Judge Grants Mental Health Diversion to Riddhi Patel
What Happens if She Completes, or Fails, the Program
Under the terms of the diversion, Patel must receive treatment, comply with all program requirements, and stay out of trouble. Successful completion means the 21 felony charges are dismissed, and under state law the arrest is treated as though it never occurred. Failure to comply allows the criminal proceedings to be reinstated and the original charges to move forward.1KGET. Riddhi Patel Set for Diversion Hearing Thursday A status hearing and progress report were scheduled for March 6, 2026.