What is the M’Naghten Rule – the Basis of Insanity Defenses?
The M’Naghten Rule is the basis of insanity defenses in the United Kingdom and the United States. It was established by the British House of Lords in the mid-19th Century. The rule is a test of whether the person accused of a crime was sane when the act was committed and criminally responsible for what […]
Tips for Helping Your Attorney When a Defendant Has a Mental Illness in Arizona
It’s very important for defendants with a mental illness in Arizona to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Most defendants are unfamiliar with the legal system and need a voice in court. This is especially the case when the accused has a mental disorder. His or her needs are often ignored in the criminal justice system. […]
Sleep Deprivation in College Kids Fuels Mental Health Episodes
College students often lose out on sleep. They habitually work late cramming for examinations, or party and lead hectic lives. A new study points out sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on mental health. At the Garcia Law Firm, our attorney helps people when they get into trouble with the law. He often helps […]
Health Rankings Point to an Increase in Adults Experiencing Mental Health Distress in Arizona
Suffering from a mental health disorder is a major challenge in Arizona. Not only are the courts often unsympathetic to people with mental illness but the state has a serious lack of providers. According to America’s Health Rankings, Arizona ranks 47th in the nation in terms of access to mental healthcare for its population. The […]
Report is Critical of Police Transportation of People with Mental Illnesses
Police departments are heavily involved in the transportation of people with mental illnesses. It’s a role that is stretching police departments and is not helpful for mental illness sufferers, according to a recent report. A report by the Treatment Advocacy Center found as much as 10 percent of police budgets is spent on the transportation […]
Decriminalization of Mental Health Bears Results in One Arizona City
The criminal justice system can be tough on people with mental illnesses. However, some jurisdictions are pursuing the decriminalization of mental health with positive results. They include Yavapai County in Arizona where Sheriff Scott Mascher is so enthusiastic about his department’s Reach Out program that he wants to tell the world about it. He told […]
How Family Caregivers can Help if Your Loved One is in Trouble with the Law
Family caregivers play an important role if your loved one is in trouble with the law in Arizona and elsewhere. No matter who you are or what your mental state, an arrest is a traumatic experience. It’s considerably worse for people with mental health issues. An arrest can trigger a mental health crisis. The defendant […]
People with Developmental Delays May Lose Out in the Criminal Justice System
Developmental delays or developmental disabilities can be caused by a range of conditions. The courts are a blunt instrument when it comes to dealing with people with these disorders. People with developmental delays may lose out in the criminal justice system. Developmental delays are first diagnosed in childhood. A child may struggle to speak or […]
ACLU Warns of Lack of Medical Care and Deaths in Arizona Prisons
Deaths in Arizona prisons occur far too often. The large population that suffers from mental illness is most vulnerable. In 2018, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) published an account of “horrifying” stories from Arizona prisons. The ACLU highlighted a lack of adequate medical care and poor resources for people with mental illness. The report […]
Arizona Locks Up More Mentally Ill People than it Hospitalizes
Arizona’s safety net for mentally ill people is a flimsy one. The state locks up more people than it hospitalizes and services for people with disorders are under fire. An AZBigMedia report looked at how the state can improve its mental health services. In 2016, Mental Health America’s annual State of Mental Health Report placed […]