Mental health interacts with criminal justice in many ways. For example, because of a pronounced mental health problem, an individual may lack the mental state that is an element of an offense and therefore not be guilty. When, as a result of a mental disorder or developmental disability, a defendant is unable to understand the nature of the criminal proceedings or to assist counsel in the conduct of the defense, the defendant must be declared incompetent to stand trial. In most criminal cases, when a mental-heath impairment was a significant factor in the alleged offense, Mental Health Diversion may be an option. Mental Health Diversion is centered on treatment. Once treatment is successfully completed, the criminal case will be dismissed.
In addition, mentally ill individuals are more likely than others to be wrongly convicted, misled, misunderstood, and framed.
Even a not guilty verdict may not be sufficient to free a person suffering from severe mental illness from criminality and custody. Alanna D. Coopersmith encourages treatment, and she does everything in her power to work out a disposition of criminal charges that takes into account an individual’s mental illness.
Please call Alanna D. Coopersmith at (510) 628-0596 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
420 Third Street, Suite 250
