DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld ordered a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP) for a carjacking defendant in a probation show cause hearing on June 18.
Derrick Curtis, 24, on Nov. 17, 2025, received a fully suspended sentence in favor of one year of probation for first-degree theft and assault with intent to commit robbery. These charges stem from his involvement in an unarmed carjacking incident on Dec. 30, 2024, at the intersection of 16th Street and Benning Road, NE.
“Looks like you’re not happy to be here, and to be honest, I’m not happy to see you,” said Judge Hertzfeld when Curtis entered the courtroom.
The judge had Curtis screened to see if he would be eligible for bed-to-bed drug treatment. The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) found that Curtis didn’t meet the qualifications due to his mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts..
The report ook the judge and Curtis’ attorney, Todd Baldwin, by surprise. Neither party said they had heard about Curtis’ mental health struggles before. Baldwin proposed Curtis’ release, but the judge said she was “at a loss” and suggested an investigation into whether Curtis could be re-screened.
A CSOSA representative joined the hearing virtually to clarify the situation. She told the court that Curtis’ assessment report from June 2 revealed extensive mental health challenges, including psychosis and violent tendencies. Although that prevented his acceptance into the bed-to-bed program, the CSOSA spokesperson recommended CPEP as an alternative.
According to CSOSA, CPEP can determine whether Curtis requires inpatient psychiatric care and if he can be stabilized so he can be transferred back to CSOSA.
Baldwin agreed to Curtis’ participation in a CPEP evaluation, working towards release.
Parties are set to reconvene on June 29.
