Savannah Criminal Defense Lawyer for Mental Disabilities

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental disability, this can further heighten the difficulty of navigating the criminal justice system. When it comes to criminal cases, mental health can impact everything — from assigning appropriate sentences to making the defendant stand trial. A skilled Savannah criminal defense lawyer for mental disabilities can work to protect your rights and fight for optimal case outcomes.

At New South Law LLC, our experienced and compassionate legal team understands the compounded difficulties of not only facing criminal defense charges but also managing mental health challenges on top of everything. We have combined years of experience successfully helping individuals with mental health challenges navigate the criminal justice system in Savannah, GA and surrounding areas, successfully implementing comprehensive defenses.

Understanding the Role Mental Health Plays in Criminal Defense

An individual’s mental state can severely impact their behaviors or actions, leading to criminal charges. Furthermore, mental challenges can significantly affect an individual’s ability to participate in their defense and can have serious implications regarding the criminal penalties they should face.

As courts in Georgia slowly but increasingly realize the role mental health plays in criminal justice cases, this is a positive trend for defendants who may be suffering from mental health challenges. It is still crucial, however, for these people to have experienced legal advocates who can champion their case and help explain their side of the story.

The compassionate legal team at New South Law LLC understands the complex intersection of mental health and law and seeks to provide informed legal guidance. For each case, we tap into our extensive network of experts in social work, psychiatry, and psychology to build up strong defenses that fully represent the client’s specific case details.

Criminal Defense Strategies for Those Struggling With Mental Illness

For criminal cases involving mental health factors, there may be various defense strategies that can be employed. At New South Law LLC, our dedicated legal team has extensive experience helping individuals struggling with mental health conditions employ a comprehensive criminal defense strategy. We can help you leverage the following:

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI)

When it comes to mental illness in criminal defense cases, the insanity defense is one of the more well-known defense strategies. This defense states that, due to severe mental illness, the defendant was not able to understand the extent of what they were doing or to determine right from wrong at the time the alleged offense occurred.

An experienced attorney from our firm can collaborate closely with mental health professionals to bring forward robust evidence that fully documents your mental health condition, including psychological evaluations and medical records. We can work to clearly show how your mental health influenced your actions and work to get you a just ruling that reflects the influence of your mental condition.

Competency to Stand Trial

In order for an individual to stand trial, they need to be able to do so according to the justice system. That means they should be able to understand the charges they are facing and actively participate in the defense against them. If an individual is not able to successfully defend their case due to mental illness or disability, they could ultimately be considered incompetent to stand trial.

Our dedicated criminal defense team can fight fiercely on behalf of our clients to ensure they receive an adequate evaluation from mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists. If the courts are considering competence, we can work to advocate for alternative measures or treatment that works to address your mental health-related needs and avoid unnecessary punishment.

Mitigation in Sentencing

For people found guilty of committing a crime, mental health considerations can be a crucial factor in determining the sentence they may end up facing. By bringing forward robust evidence that fully documents mental health disabilities, those found guilty may face reduced penalties or sentences — such as having to successfully complete a treatment program instead of going to jail or prison.

The highly experienced criminal defense team from New South Law LLC can collect crucial evidence for your case, weaving it together to paint a comprehensive picture of how your mental health situation has influenced your actions and behavior. We can fight hard on your behalf, presenting robust legal arguments to advocate for support and rehabilitation over punitive measures.

Collaborating With Mental Health Experts

When it comes to building up a strong criminal defense case, the experienced legal team at New South Law LLC understands it takes a village. We tap into our strong network of trusted mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, forensic social workers, and other medical professionals, to gain key insight into your specific mental health needs.

By working closely with you, we can work to highlight the impact of the sociological and economic factors that led to your situation and work to show testimony that explains your actions through a mental health diagnosis.

Helping Individuals With Mental Disabilities Overcome Justice System Challenges

The criminal justice system can be especially difficult on individuals who are having a mental health crisis or dealing with mental health-related disabilities. A knowledgeable criminal justice lawyer from New South Law LLC can help defend you against individuals such as juries, judges, or law enforcement that may use misunderstanding or bias against you.

Furthermore, leveraging our extensive legal experience, we can ensure that your mental health issues are fully addressed in court and taken into account for your case. As we understand how incarceration can further exacerbate mental health conditions, we can work to advocate for support and comprehensive treatment as opposed to punitive measures.

When it comes to tackling challenges at the intersection of law and mental health, our dedicated team is ready to fight hard on your behalf, working to make sure your voice is heard and that your rights are protected.

Work With a Savannah Criminal Defense Lawyer for Mental Disabilities

Facing criminal charges is already overwhelming enough due to the potential impacts they can have on your personal and professional life — in addition to potential criminal penalties like incarceration and hefty fines. Therefore, if you are dealing with both criminal charges and mental health challenges, a lawyer from our firm will understand how difficult this can be.

The empathetic and experienced criminal defense team at New South Law LLC is here for you during this difficult time. Together, we can build up a strong case on your behalf, defending your rights and interests. Contact us today to get started.