The unique roles that defense counsel plays for his or her client--spokesperson, advocate, and court champion--become even more important when the client has mental health challenges or a mental illness.
In order for a defense attorney to effectively represent clients with these challenges, they need be able to assess the challenge, understand how it effects their client, be aware of the mental health resources in the community, be familiar with relevant laws, and work with prosecutors, judicial officers, and other stakeholders to respond collaboratively to these cases.
Most attorneys are not equipped with the skills or time required to assess and manage these cases adequately. This is why Sumpter & Gonzalez, LLP has developed a social work team which understands mental illness, how to treat it, and which resources are available in the community to address it. |
