Mental disability issues in the criminal justice system : what they are, who evaluates them, how and when

This is a handbook for guiding non-lawyers in how to handle mental disability issues in the criminal justice system. The book is written in plain, understandable language. Highly technical legal and psychiatric discussions are avoided, and the author explains the concepts and issues in a manner understandable to those without legal backgrounds. One of the purposes of the book is to point out areas in which non-lawyer investigators, legal assistants, and paralegals might participate more than they do now in helping to evaluate and handle mental disability issues. Ways are discussed in which these individuals can participate in various contexts in investigations by law enforcement agencies when mental disabilities are involved, as well as be of assistance to defense attorneys or prosecutors in various stages of such cases. The book should be helpful to investigative personnel in police departments, as well as in federal agencies. Psychiatrists and psychologists may find it useful in developing a better understanding of the legal concepts and issues. Lawyers can also use the book to train non-lawyers, and criminal justice professors may be able to use the book as a supplement to other teaching materials. For those professionals who may want to delve more deeply into the issues, there are citations to supporting legal literature, statutes and case law.